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600058007Q 




JOVINIAN. 



JOVINIAN ; 



OR, 



THE EARL Y DA YS OF PAPAL ROME, 



% 3^ak 



BT 



W. H. G. KINGSTON, 

AUTHOR OF ** CLARA MAVNARD/' ETC. 



WITH EIGHT FULL-PAGE ^,fniXSfIS3t9U0NS, 




LONDON : 

HODDER AND STOUGHTON, 

27, Paternoster Row. 

MDCCCLXXVII. 

[AI/ rights reserved^ 

2SI . c. o'bl. 



Hazell, Watson, and Viney, Printers, London and Aylesbury. 



PREFACE. 



Rome, till the time of Constantine, had 
been the stronghold of a powerful body 
of priests devoted to the worship of the 
Babylonian goddess and her son. On the 
emperor declaring himself a Christian — 
and a profession of his supposed belief 
opened the way to honours and wealth — a 
majority of the Romans also assumed the 
name of Christians. 

What became of the members of the 
college of pontiffs, and of the chief priests 
of the temples, many belonging to the most 
influential families of Rome ? Were all 
these men suddenly converted to the truth 
as it is in Christ Jesus ? 

The object of the following tale is to 
answer these questions; and if answered 



vi Preface. 

aright, the existence of that mighty system 
of imposture which has exercised its bane- 
ful influence over a large portion of the 
human race from that era down to the 
present time, and has been palmed off on 
the ignorant world as Christianity, can 
fully be accounted for. 

A yet more important object will be 
gained if the tale induces others, with 
time at their disposal, to examine into the 
subject ; but they must remember that 
the writers of that and subsequent periods 
whose works have come down to us were 
interested in maintaining the papal system, 
and that many employed the most auda- 
cious forgeries and invented the grossest 
falsehoods to support its pretensions. 

Yet this is the system which men of 
education are pertinaciously endeavouring 
to introduce in this nineteenth century as 
the religion of our free England. 

W. H. G. K. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAP. 

I. THE TWO PONTIFFS 
II. ROME IN THE FOURTH CENTURY 

III. THE CATACOMBS . 

IV. THE PROCESSION . 
V. THE YOUNG CAPTIVE 

VI. A DEBATE 
VII. THE ESCAPE . 
VIII. RELICS . 

IX. THE CAPTURED RESCUED 

X. THE TRIAL OF THE VESTAL 

XI. RELEASED 
XII. CAPTURED . 

XIII. THE ASSASSINS 

XIV. DEPARTURE FROM ROME 
XV. JOVINIAN AND HIS UNCLE 

XVI. THE JOURNEY — THE FIRST INTRODUC 
TION OF MONASTERIES INTO ITALY 
XVII. THE MEETING .... 

XVIIL JOVINIAN REVISITS HIS NATIVE CITY 



PAGB 

I 

20 

30 

48 

61 

74 

92 

106 

118 
133 

146 

158 

i6s 

183 
202 

221 
232 
240 



©lazier I. 

THE TWO PONTIFFS. 

THJE glorious sun rose in undimmed 
splendour on a morning in the early- 
part of the fourth century over everlast- 
ing Rome, his rays glancing on countless 
temples, statues, columns, and towers, on 
long lin^s of aqueducts and other public 
edifices, and on the proud mansions of the 
patricians which covered the slopes and 
crowned the summits of her seven hills. 
The. populace were already astir, bent on 
keeping holiday, for a grand festival was 
about to be held in honour of Jupiter 
Optimus Maximus and his two associate 
divinities Juno and Minerva. The flamens, 
with their assistants, and the vestal virgins, 
aided by many fair patrician matrons and 
maidens eager to show their piety and 

to gain the favour of the gods, had been 

i 



2 ' ; yovinian. 

labouring all night in decorating the 
temples ; and already the porticoes and 
the interior columns appeared adorned 
with wreaths and festoons of green leaves 
and gay flowers; while wax tapers in 
silver candlesticks, on countless shrines, 
had been prepared for lighting at the 
appointed moment. At the entrance of 
each temple, either fixed in the wall or 
standing on a tripod, was an acquimi- 
narium, — a basin of silver or gold, freshly 
filled to the brim with holy water, with 
which salt had been united ; a minor 
flamen in white robes, with brush in 
hand, standing ready to sprinkle any 
who might desire the purging process. 
Others of their fraternity were busy 
hanging up in the temples of iEsculapius 
votive offerings — in the shape of arms, 
legs, and other parts of the human body, 
representing the limbs of his worshippers, 
which by his powerful instrumentality had 
been restored to health. Bands of musi- 
cians with a variety of instruments, and 
dancers in scanty dresses, were moving 
about singing and playing, and exhi? 



The Two Pontiffs,' 3 

biting their terpsichorean performances 
before the temples and minor shrines 
erected at the corners of the principal 
highways. The .fronts of the shrines 
were, like the temples, adorned with 
wreaths of flowers ; while tapers, in horn 
lanterns, burned before them. Swarms 
also of mendicant priests, habited in coarse 
robes, with shaven crowns, and huge sacks 
at their backs, were parading the streets, 
going from house to house begging for 
doles, and holding up small images of 
the gods to be adored by the ignorant 
populace ; never failing to bestow their 
heaviest maledictions on those who re- 
fused them alms, cursing them as Chris- 
tian atheists. 

It was yet early when two persons, 
quitting the Curia Hostilia at the foot 
of the Coelian Hill, took their way past 
the magnificent Flavian Amphitheatre 
towards the Sacra Via. Their costume 
was alike, and consisted of a fine toga, 
with a deep purple border, and on the head 
an apex- — a Conical cap surmounted by a 
spike of olive wood — which showed them 



4 yovinian. 

to belong to the Holy College of the 
Pontiffs. The dress of the elder of the 
two had, in addition, stripes of purple, 
marking his superior rank. To prevent 
their togas from being soiled by the dust 
on the road, they had drawn them up 
under their right shoulders, so as to allow 
the skirts to hang gracefully over their 
left arms, exhibiting the richly-embroi- 
dered thongs which secured their sandals. 
They passed onward with a dignified 
and haughty air. Both were fine-looking 
men. The elder possessed a handsome 
countenance; his firm-set mouth, high 
brow, and keen piercing eyes, showed 
determination and acuteness of intellect, 
though at the same time the expression 
was rather repulsive than pleasing. His 
companion's features were less handsome, 
and it might have been seen at a glance 
that he was fond of the good things of 
life. 

They had nearly reached the colossal 
statue of Nero — now wearing the head of 
Apollo, placed on it by Vespasian instead 
of that of the tyrant — which towered 



The Two Pontiffs. 5 

almost as high as the lofty walls of the 
amphitheatre. After having hitherto kept 
silence, absorbed in his own thoughts, the 
elder pontiff addressed the younger, 

'* We shall triumph still, Gaius, though, 
by the Immortals, these Christians have 
made fearful progress of late. They 
swarm in this city, and even, as I hear, 
throughout every part of the world ; for 
since the time when the Emperor Diocle- 
tian wisely resolved to put them down, 
by destroying the places where they met 
to worship, preventing their secret assem- 
blies, and burning their books, they have 
once more risen in an audacious manner, 
and walk about with all the airs of freed- 
men. I hope ere long to see the arena 
of the amphitheatre again filled with the 
atheists, struggling unarmed against the 
wild beasts let in on them, to tear them 
limb from limb. I well remember many 
such a scene. . The populace delight in it 
even more than in the games of Carinus, 
the magnificent displays oftheNaumachia^ 
or even than in the combats of a thou- 
sand gladiators. The exhibition we have 



6 Jovinian. 

prepared for to-day will do much, I sus- 
pect, to win back the fickle multitude to 
the worship of the gods. The ignorant 
naturally delight in gorgeous shows and 
spectacles of all sorts, incapable as they 
are of comprehending the refinements of 
philosophy; and when they benefit by 
the flesh of the victims distributed among 
them, they will, depend on it, be strong 
advocates for the continuance of sacrifices 
to the gods." 

" I hope, Coecus, that we shall succeed, 
but in truth these Christians have hitherto 
shown a wonderful amount of obstinacy, 
not only in adherinig to their mysteries, 
but in propagating them in all directions. 
I cannot understand their faith — without 
even a visible representation of a God 
before which to bow down, or a single 
object for the eye to fix on," observed the 
younger pontiff. " I know, however, some- 
thing about their belief; but even were I 
not a pontiff I should object to it. In 
addition to the hatred they display towards 
the ancient religion, they would deprive us 
poor mortals of all the pleasures of life. 



The Two Pontiffs, 7 

They rail against rich viands and generous 
wines ; and, by Bacchus, were they to have 
their way, the gods and, what is of more 
consequence, we their priests, would no 
longer be supported, and these our magni- 
ficent temples would fall to decay. Still, I 
confess that, would they consent to worship 
publicly before the shrines of the gods, they 
might, as far as I am concerned, practise 
their rites in secret, and attend, as they 
are wont to do, to the sick and suffering. 
I have less hatred for them than con- 
tempt." 

"For my part, I hate them with an 
undying hatred, if it is of the accursed 
Nazarenes you speak, Gai us," said Coecus, 
gnashing his teeth. 

" You speak, Ccecus, of these Nazarenes 
with less than your usual philosophical 
calmness," observed the younger pontiff. 

" I have cause to do so ; one of the vile 
wretches dared to cross my path and rob 
me of a jewel I yalued more than life 
itself," exclaimed the elder pontiff, his eyes 
flashing and his lips quivering with rage. 
" While yet the hot blood of youth coursed 



8 Jovinian. 

through my veins, I met the beautiful 
Eugenia, daughter of the patrician Gen- 
tianus, at an exhibition of the Naumachia. 
To see her once was to love, to adore her : 
in grace and beauty she surpassed Venus 
herself; in majesty of form she was Juno's 
rival ; while on her brow sate the calm 
dignity of Minerva. I soon obtained an 
introduction to Gentianus ; and though I 
found him somewhat reserved, I had reason 
to believe that he was not unfavourable to 
my suit. Eugenia, aware of the admiration 
she had excited, received me kindly, and I 
did everything I could think of to gain her 
good graces. Matters were progressing 
favourably, when I perceived a change in 
her and her father. I was admitted as 
before, but her manner became cold and 
distant, and Gentianus no longer looked on 
me with a favourable eye. I discovered, 
as I believed, the cause. A rival had ap- 
peared, Severus by name, a stranger in 
Rome; not in good looks, in figure, or 
manners to be compared to me. I watched 
Severus with a jealous eye, and employed 
spies to track his footsteps. I learnt that 



— ^ 



The Two Pontiffs. g 

he attended the secret meetings of the 
Nazarenes. He had, in truth, a soft and 
silvery tongue, and by his art and elo- 
quence had won over Eugenia and Gentianus 
to his accursed faith. Still, knowing that 
wealth is all-potent in Rome as elsewhere, 
I resolved to demand the hand of Eugenia 
of her father. He neither refused nor ac- 
cepted my offer, but, instead, endeavoured 
to explain to me the doctrines of the new 
faith. Astonished, I bluntly asked whether 
he had himself adopted them. * I have,' 
he replied, ' and as a Christian I could not 
allow my daughter to wed an idolater ! ' — 
for so he dared to call me. I dissembled 
my anger while he continued speaking, 
decrying the immortal gods, and endea- 
vouring to induce me to adopt the tenets 
of his religion. It may have been, at that 
time, that Severus was not, as I sup- 
posed, affianced to Eugenia ; but ere long 
they were betrothed, and she ultimately 
became his wife. Still, I could not aban- 
don all hope of winning her — a dagger 
might end her husband's life — and 3vhile 
brooding over my disappointment, and 



lo Jovinian. 

seeking for some means of gratifying my 
love and revenge, the edict of Diocletian 
against the Christians was promulgated. 
Numbers of the fanatics were seized, and 
once more the Flavian Amphitheatre wit- 
nessed their tortures and death — some com- 
pelled to do battle with trained gladiators, 
others, naked and unarmed, to struggle 
with ferocious lions. The time for which I 
yearned had now arrived. I fully expected 
to get the hated Severus and his father-in- 
law, Gentianus, into my power, resolving 
not to rest till I had given the former over 
to the wild beasts, and compelled the old 
man to renounce his creed and consent to 
his daughter becoming my bride. Believing 
that their capture was certain, I set off 
with a band of faithful followers, and sur- 
rounded their housie ; but on breaking open 
the door, what was my rage to discover 
that my intended prey had fled! I sent 
emissaries, under various disguises, to every 
part of the city to search for them ; I ascer- 
tained, however, that scarcely an hour 
before I visited their house, they had left 
it, and made their way out of the city 



The Two Pontiffs. 1 1 

towards the entrance of those numerous 
galleries hewn in the sand-rock far down 
beneath the surface of the earth. Not to 
be defeated, I ordered a trusty band to 
search for the fugitives in those subterra- 
nean regions, but having no wish to de- 
scend to Avernus before my time, I myself 
remained outside. My people were some 
time away; they came back at length, 
dragging four or five trembling wretches 
of the meaner sort, while their swords were 
dripping with the blood of several others 
they had slain. Whether or ngt the chief 
quarry had escaped, I was left in doubt, as 
they brought no token to prove who were 
those who had fallen, and they vowed that 
they would not return to run the risk of 
losing their way and perishing miserably 
amid the labyrinthine passages of that 
underground region. The shades of even- 
ing compelled me at last to return to the 
city with the wretched prisoners who had 
been captured, and I registered a vow at 
the shrine of Bellona that I would wreak 
my vengeance on the heads of Gentianus 
and Severus should I ever get them into 



1 2 yovinian. 

my power. In vain, however, did I seek 
for Eugenia and her father: they had 
either made their escape from the neigh- 
bourhood of Rome or had carefully con- 
cealed themselves underground. I had 
good reason, however, ere long to know 
that the latter was the case. I have since 
in vain searched for them ; concealed by 
their fellow-religionists, they have eluded 
my vigilance. That abominable edict which 
our politic emperor issued at Milan, allow- 
ing the Christians to enjoy their religion in 
peace, made me abandon all expectation 
of being able to wreak my vengeance on 
the head of Severus by open means, 
though I still cherished the hope that he 
would come forth from his hiding-place, 
when the assassin's dagger would quickly 
have finished his career and .given me my 
still-beloved Eugenia. Still, I have reason 
to believe that they are in existence, and 
that Gentianus, knowing that I am not 
likely to break my vow, is afraid to issue 
from his concealnjent ; notwithstanding 
that on the revocation of the edicts by 
' Maxentius the Nazarenes have generally 



The Two Pontiffs. 13 

ventured forth from their hiding-places. 
They have, indeed, since then, in vast num- 
bers, appeared in public, openly declaring 
their creed, and diligently endeavouring 
to obtain proselytes from all classes, — 
thus daringly showing their hatred and 
contempt of the gods whose priests we are. 
It is high time, indeed, since the emperors 
no longer care to preserve the ancient faith, 
that we should be up and doing, and if we 
cannot employ open means, should by craft 
and subtlety put a stop to the pernicious 
system. What say you, Gaius ? " 

"i can fully enter into your feelings," 
observed Gaius. " I myself have been 
crossed more than once by these Naza- 
renes ; although, wer^ it not that our order 
is in some peril, I confess that I have felt 
no great antipathy to them. Indeed, some 
years ago, my only sister Livia became in- 
doctrinated with their opinions, and married 
one of them. He was seized, and died, 
with many hundreds more, in yonder arena 
but she escaped, and disappeared for some 
years from sight. I again at length met 
her, reduced to great distress, supported. 



1 4 yovinian. 

I believe, by her co-religionists ; but so 
poverty-stricken were they that they could 
afford her but the common necessaries of 
life. She was a sweet and gentle creature^ 
and, though I condemned her heresy, I had 
not the heart to leave her to perish. You 
will say, Ccecus, that I should have been 
more stoical, but I had a motive which will 
excuse me in your sight. She had an only 
child, a handsome boy, the young Jovinian, 
who reminded me of her in the days of 
her youth ind beauty. Once, too, I should 
have said, she tended me when I was sick, 
and might have died, in spite of all the 
offerings my friends made to iEsculapius, 
and the skill of the physicians who at- 
tended me, had it not been for her watch- 
ful care. Gratitude induced me to visit her ; 
I procured the best assistance medical 
skill could afford ; but whether it was 
counteracted by the visits of her Nazarene 
friends I know not, — so the gods willed it, 
she gradually sank. Her only thoughts 
seemed to be about the welfare of her boy, 
and in spite of all the offers I made to give 
him a college education befitting his patri- 



The Two Pontiffs. 1 5 

cian rank — for his father Wcis of our order 
as well as his mother — and to watch over 
his advancement in life, she would not 
yield him to me, but preferred rather to 
confide him to the care of a miserable 
poverty-stricken relative, who was the 
means originally of her perversion from 
the ancient faith. Visiting her one day, I 
found her boy with her. She was evidently 
much worse. In vain I endeavoured to 
console her : she breathed her last shortly 
afterwards. It was truly piteous to hear 
the child calling on her to speak to him. 
At length, discovering the truth, he sank 
fainting over her inanimate body. I took 
him in my arms, and, in spite of his strug- 
gles, bore him away, intending to send 
the Libertinarii to arrange for poor Livia's 
funeral. Wrapping him in a lacerna, and 
shrouding his head in the hood to stifle 
his cries, I committed him to the slaves in 
attendance outside, who carried him off to 
our college, where he could be well looked 
after. As they bore him along the narrow 
streets several persons, who were, I suspect, 
Nazarenes, looked out from the overhanging 



1 6 Jovinian. 

balconies to watch us. My object was to 
prevent my relative Amulius from discover- 
ing what had become of the boy. I had 
little doubt that I should soon reconcile 
him to the change, and teach him to wor- 
ship the gods of his fathers. I have had, 
I must own, more difficulty than I had ex- 
pected. He was continually talking of his 
mother, but not with the sorrow I should 
have anticipated, as he seemed satisfied 
that she was in the realms of bliss — a 
glorious place in which she had taught him 
to believe, — while he offered petitions to 
some unknown being to help and support 
him, and to keep him faithful to the creed 
with which she had indoctrinated his young 
mind. It seemed surprising that at so 
early an age he should be so determined 
in his belief. He, indeed, as I understood 
him, prayed continually to an Almighty 
God, to whom he could approach boldly 
by the intercession of One he called Jesus, 
without the intervention of demigod or 
priests. I gained more knowledge of the 
extraordinary faith of the Nazarenes from 
the young boy than I had hitherto pos- 



The Two Pontiffs. \ 7 

sessed. It seems wonderfully simple. They 
believe that one Almighty God rules the 
universe; that man was placed on the 
earth free to accept or reject this mighty 
God, but bound to obedience ; that being 
disobedient^ he and all his descendants have 
become prone to sin, but yet this Almighty 
Being, loving men, sent One, a portion of 
Himself, "clown on earth, born of a woman ; 
who, offering Himself as a sacrifice for their 
sins, was put to death on the accursed Cross, 
thus satisfying the Almighty's justice, the 
guiltless One being punished instead of the 
guilty. Thus all who believe on Him are 
considered free from sin and reconciled to 
the great Being whom, by their sins, they 
have offended. Can you understand this 
doctrine, Coecus } " 

" Not in the slightest degree," answered 
the pontiff, who had been paying but 
little attention to what his companion 
was saying, his mind being engaged on 
projects for the maintenance of his order, 
which he had good reason to fear was in 
danger. " It is to me incomprehensible.'* 

" So, by Bacchus, it is to me, though I 

2 



1 8 Jovinian. 

* 

understand with tolerable clearness the 
principles of the system," observed Gaius. 
"What I greatly object to in it is, that 
these Nazarenes seem to require no priests 
nor sacrifices, and worship without any 
forms or ceremonies, as they declare that 
this Jesus is their sole priest, and that He 
is at the right hand of their great God, 
pleading His own sacrifice, whereby all their 
sins were purged away. I have done my 
utmost, I should say, as in duty bound, to 
drive such notions out of the mind of my 
nephew. I forgot to mention that after I 
had made such arrangements for the funeral 
of my sister as became her rank, when the 
Libertinarii arrived with the slaves to wash 
and anoint the body, to place a coin on 
its mouth to pay the ferryman in Hades, 
and to plant a branch of cypress at the 
door of the house in which she died, it 
was found that the Nazarenes had re- 
moved it, in order to inter it according 
to their own rites, some way without the 
city, instead of allowing it to be carried, 
as I should have wished, on a handsome 
praetrum, followed by mourners and bands 



The Two Pontiffs. 1 9 

s 

of music, to the bustum, there to be con- 
sumed on the funeral pyre." 

"It matters little what became of the 
poor dame ; she must have been a weak 
creature," observed Coecus, in a super- 
cilious tone, re-arranging the folds of his 
toga and walking on. 



^^ttx II. 

ROME IN THE FOURTH CENTURY. 

THE two pontiffs had proceeded some 
way, when Coecus stopped. . " What 
have you done, Gaius, with this young 
nephew of yours ? " he asked. " Haye 
you managed by this time to teach him 
the worship of the gods i *' 

" As to my success, I can say but little," 
answered Gaius. "A strict watch is, 
however, kept over him; for I believe 
that he would escape from me even now, 
could he obtain the opportunity. I have 
an affection for him, and hope in time, 
as he grows older and gains more intelli- 
gence, to make him see the folly of the 
faith his mother adopted, and to induct 
him into our mysteries. I have already 
endeavoured to make him understand that 
he need not believe in the gods more than 



Rome in the Fourth Century. 2 1 

tve do, or in the tricks of the augurs, of 
whom Cicero wittily observes, * It is a 
wonder they can ever look each other in 
the face without laughing/ " 

*' If you care for his welfare you will 
follow the plan you have adopted, and we 
may have the lad elected some day as 
a member of 0U5 college," said Coecus. 
" We must be very careful of our interests, 
and I doubt not that if we are wise we 
shall still retain the management of the 
sacred affairs of the city, and may 
even extend our influence over the whole 
country, whatever changes time may bring 
about. For my part, I have confidence 
that our system will endure, and that we 
shall still retain the power we have hitherto 
enjoyed.'* 

" May the gods favour qs ! '* aaswered 
Gaius. " Happily, the people are easily 
deceived and led, though the patricians 
may give us some trouble." 

"We can manage them by showing 
that it is to their interest to support us," 
observed Coecus : " I have not studied 
human nature without discovering the 



22 yavinian. 

follies and absurdities to which the minds 
of men, no matter their rank, are ready to 
submit. Think what a vast amount of 
intellect and skill, aided by the labours of 
the abject toilers for their daily bread^ has 
been employed in erecting these superb 
temples and magnificent statues of the 
gods; and yet we despise both one and 
the other, except for their external beauty, 
which we can appreciate even better than 
they do." 

The pontiff, as he spoke, stretched his 
right hand over the scene of architectural 
magnificence which, as he and his com- 
panion looked westward, was displayed 
to their eyes. They had just passed 
through the arch of Titus, on the top of 
the Summa Sacra Via, when the Capitol, 
with all its glories, suddenly burst on their 
view. On the summit of the hill was seen 
the vast and magnificent temple of Jupiter 
Optimus Maximus, with those of Juno 
and Minerva on either side, its roof of 
gilded tiles vying in splendour with the 
eastern sun now shining on it, and deriving 
additional lustre from the background of 



Rome in the Fourth Century. 23 

that deep blue Italian sky against which 
its outlines were sharply defined. A 
complete forest of high pillars, perfect ex- 
amples of the art of the greatest sculptors 
of Greece, supported the lofty roof. The 
pediment and acroterium were adorned 
with statues — ^scarcely, however, to be 
distinguished at that distance. Near the 
temple stood a colossal statue of Jupiter, 
the majestic features of the face, turned 
towards them, being clearly discerned. 
Not far off was another gigantic statue 
of Apollo ; while around the principal 
temple were clustered others of lesser 
size, as if to do it homage, the intervals 
and the space in front being adorned with 
statues, which appeared at that distance 
like living men and women. A depression 
of short extent separated the Capitol from 
another abrupt elevation, on the summit 
of which stood the citadel, or acropolis, 
crowned by the magnificent temple of 
Juno Moneta, also surrounded by similar 
temples, — the elegant one of Jupiter 
Tonans, another, that of Fortuna, and 
the temple of Honor et Virtus. On 



24 yovinian. 

each side the ground was covered, almost 
to the verge of the Forum, with thickly- 
clustered dwellings, but of no great height, 
so that the view from the sumptuous 
mansions on the Palatine of the sacred 
and triumphal processions which passed 
that way should not be obstructed. Close 
to them was the dwelling of the Rex 
Sacrificulus, while on the left appeared the 
temples of Vesta and of Castor, behind 
which ran the Nova Via, directly at the 
base of the Palatine. Descending a steep 
declivity, beneath the arch of Fornix 
Fabianus, on the left, stood the Regia, or 
house of the Pontifex Maximus, and at 
the corner of the Forum beyond it rose 
the superb temples of Antoninus and 
Faustina, and that of Divus Julius, as the 
first Caesar was called when he took rank 
among the gods. The temple stood op 
the spot where his body had been con- 
sumed at his apotheosis. The Forum, 
which they had now reached, was sur- 
rounded by magnificent buildings, many 
others crowning the neighbouring hills tb 
a hundred feet in height, giving it an air 



Rome in the Fourth Century. 25 

of extraordinary grandeur. On looking 
eastward, on the crest of the Aria Capito- 
lina was seen, lined by a double row of por- 
ticoes one above the other, the Tabularium 
of Catullus, Below it, to the north, stood 
the Temple of Concord, and on a lower 
level, nearer the Forum, rose the temple 
of Saturn, its pediment surmounted with 
figures of Tritons blowing horns. In front 
of it was the Milliarium Aureum, or 
gilded milestone, set up by Augustus as 
a standard for distances within the walls. 
Behind it lay another small temple — that of 
Ops ; and visible from the Forum, on the 
eastern face of the hill, was the ill-famed 
Tarpeian Rock, whence criminals con- 
demned to death were wont to be precipi- 
tated. At the upper end of the Forum, 
under the Capitoline Hill," was the Comi- 
tium, adorned with fresco paintings, and 
covered with numerous statues surrounding 
the tribunals of the Praetor Urbanus. Here 
also was the sacred fig-tree, the Fie us 
Riiminalis, under which Romulus and 
Remus were nursed by the wolf, so the 
populace believed. On the south-western 



26 yovinian. 

extremity of the Forum was the Basilica 
Julia, and not far off the still more mag- 
nificent temple of Castor, from its posi- 
tion on a lofty terrace visible on all sides. 
Farther on, at no great distance from the 
arch of Severus, in front of the Curia, was 
another celebrated temple, the last we 
shall mention, of bronze — that of Janus 
Bifrons, the two-faced deity, the index of 
peace or war. Many more buildings sur- 
rounding the Forum might be mentioned, 
— the iEdes Vestae, encircled by a grove, 
near the temple of Castor, and the column 
of Phocas, — while to the north was the 
Forum Augusti, with its Curia. A fine road 
between the Capitoline and Quirinal Hills 
led into the Campus Martius, through 
the splendid Forum of Trajan. Numerous 
other temples ' of equal grandeur were 
visible, the porticoes, or chief entrances, 
looking, whenever possible, westward, which 
side was at the same time faced by the 
divinity within, so that persons offering 
prayers or sacrifices at the altar looked 
towards the east; the eastward position 
being considered of the greatest impor- 



Rome in the Fourth Century, 27 

tance by the superstitious idolaters of 
old. The custom, originating among the 
worshippers of the Sun, who were wont to 
watch for the appearance of their divinity- 
above the horizon, had been generally 
imitated by the heathen world, though 
' the source whence it had been derived was 
forgotten. When it was impracticable to 
build a temple in the favourite position, 
it was placed, like that of Jupiter Maximus, 
in such a manner that the greater portion 
of the city could be seen from it ; and when 
erected by the side of a street or road, it 
was always so situated that the passers-by 
might look in to salute the divinity, to 
obtain a sprinkling of holy water, and 
to leave their votive offerings in the eager 
hands of the watchful flamens. 

The two pontiffs, little regarding the 
magnificent scene which has been de- 
scribed, hurried into the Regia, or house 
of the Pontifex Maximus — for though the 
office had long been held solely by the 
emperors, the building was inhabited 
by the chief pontiff and several of his 
principal coadjutors. It stood hard by 



28 yovinian. 

the house of the vestal virgins, who were 
especially committed to the care of the 
pontiffs. They had, indeed, the lives and 
liberties of the fair damsels under their 
complete control, and could, should a 
vestal be found guilty of breaking her 
vows, punish her with imprisonment, 
or put her to death by entombing her 
while still alive. Entering by the ostium, 
the two pontiffs passed onwards through 
the several courts known as the atrium 
and the cavum ccedium into the tablinum, 
where, having thrown themselves upon 
couches surrounding the central table, 
ready slaves removed their sandals and 
head-gear, while others brought water to 
wash their hands and feet. A third party 
meantime spread the table for the pran- 
dium with various dishes^ hot as well as 
cold, fish, eggs, and refreshing beverages, 
light wines, and the seductive calda. The 
pontiffs took good care, whatever the out- 
side world might say about the matter, to 
live well on '* what the gods provided." 

"We have had a fatiguing walk, and 
require something to restore our exhausted 



Rome in the Fourth Centtiry. 29 

strength, while a hard day's work is before 
us ; but I have never prepared with 
greatef zest to engage in a spectacle 
such as is about to take place, convinced 
as I am that it will- repay us for all our 
trouble," remarked Ccecus. 

They were soon joined by several other 
pontiffs, who came to hear the result of 
their visit to the Curia Hostilia, and to 
make final arrangements concerning the 
order of the procession. 



Cl^agtjer III* 

THE CATACOMBS. 

AT the time that the two pontiffs were 
leaving the Curia Hostih'a, a female 
slave was making her way along the Appian 
Road, about two miles from her home. She 
wore over her usual dark dress a coarse 
laena, which served to conceal a basket 
filled with provisions which she carried on 
her arm. Turning off to the left, she followed 
a slightly beaten track, scarcely perceptible 
to the ordinary eye. After pursuing it for 
some distance, she again crossed a track of 
wild and barren ground till she reached a 
hollow or basin of some extent. Stopping 
at the edge, she looked carefully around, 
and then rapidly descending the slope, 
was completely hidden from the view of 
any one who might be passing in the 
distance. Reaching the bottom of the 



The Catacombs. 3 1 

basin, which had the appearance of a huge 
sand-pit long since disused, she directed 
her course towards what was seemingly 
a heap of large stones piled up against 
the side. Stooping down, however, she 
discovered a space large enough to admit 
her, and, by bending her head, she passed 
through it, when she was once more able 
to stand erect. Stopping an instant, she 
produced from beneath her cloak a lan- 
tern, and, quickly lighting it, proceeded 
without hesitation along a passage hewn 
in the sandstone rock, about ten feet in 
height and five or six in width. Cast- 
ing the light before her as she went 
on, she carefully noted the passages 
which branched off on either hand. Into 
one of these, after proceeding for five. or 
six hundred yards, she entered, after 
minutely examining a mark on the wall 
—a sign to her that it was the one she 
sought. Still on she went, not a sound 
reaching her ear, till she reached what 
appeared to be a heap of rubbish piled up 
before her. Throwing the light of the 
lantern on one side of it, she discovered an 



32 yovinian. 

opening similar to the one through which 
she had entered the subterranean labyrinth. 
As she advanced, the light of her lamp 
glancing on the walls revealed numerous 
slabs let into them, on which various inscrip- 
tions, with significant symbols, were rudely 
carved, marking them as the tombs of 
those who had departed in the faith of 
Jesus, to sleep in peace till summoned by 
the last trump to meet their risen Lord. 
Here the crown and palm-branch marked 
the resting-places of those who had been 
faithful unto death, triumphing over sin, 
the world, and the devil ; farther on 
was an anchor, typifying the Christian's 
hope, sure and steadfast; here a ship 
entering harbour, to signify an entrance 
into the everlasting kingdom ; there a 
dove, and an olive-branch, the everlasting 
peace enjoyed by those who slept within. 
Still more numerous were the simple 
and short epitaphs, some with merely the 
words, "In Christ ; " others, '' He sleeps in 
peace." On some were rude emblems 
denoting the trade or name of those 
buried within; on others were figures of 



The Catacombs. 33 

men or women standing with outstretched 
hands and open palms — the universal pos- 
ture of prayer. 

But the eye of the slave paused not to 
rest on any of these objects, though she 
did not fail to notice them as she moved 
along. Stopping again to trim her lamp, 
she -listened for a moment, but her ear was 
unable to catch the slightest sound. She 
then proceeded more cautiously than be- 
fore, till she reached the top of a flight 
of steps, down which she descended into 
another passage, which extended to a 
distance far greater than the rays from 
her lantern could penetrate. Counting her 
steps, she stopped at a spot where was a 
large slab of stone, on which certain figures 
were carved, understood only by the initi- 
ated, scarcely to be distinguished from the 
wall of the gallery, and which appeared to 
be let into it. She touched it on one side, 
when it opened, and she proceeded as before. 
Here and there a faint ray of light came 
down from above, the aperture through 
which it had passed serving to ventilate 
the gallery, the atmosphere of which 

3 



34 yovinian. 

would otherwise have been insupportable. 
Advancing some way farther, she again 
stopped and listened, when human voices 
united in melodious song reached her ear. 
She now hurried on with more confidence 
than before. She could distinguish the 
words : they were those of a hymn such 
as Christians alone, imbued with the true 
light of the Gospel, could have uttered. 

The countenance of the girl, hitherto 
grave and anxious, beamed with a calm 
joy as she drank in the words. Moving 
forward for some fifty yards or more, she 
stood in front of a deep recess, consider- 
ably higher, and several times wider, than 
the passage which had conducted her to it. 
It resembled, indeed, a deep archway 
supported by simple columns, but was 
otherwise totally unadorned. On either 
side, on rough benches, were seated about 
twenty persons, who, as shown by their 
costumes, were of varied ranks, from the 
patrician in his toga and the high-bom 
lady with fringed dress to the humble 
fossor or excavator* They varied also in 
age : some were far advanced in life, others 



The Catacombs. 35 

were grave men and matrons, and among 
them was a young girl scarcely past her 
days of childhood. At the further end of 
the chamber, near a small table, sat a man 
of venerable aspect, clothed" as a patri- 
cian, with a white beard hanging over his 
breast. A scroll was in his hand, from 
which, by the light of a lamp standing 
on the table, he was reading aloud. 

Rolling up the scroll, he rose and ad- 
dressed the assembly. The slave, advan- 
cing slowly, and placing her basket on the 
ground, took her seat at the outer end of 
one of the benches. He had already made 
some remarks, when he continued — "Ye 
have not so learned Christ. He, our risen 
Lord, IS our one Mediator between God 
and man. He has assured us that we 
require no other intercessor, but if we 
trust in His perfect sacrifice He will take 
us by the hand and present us, clothed in 
his pure and spotless robes, to the All- 
pure and All-holy One. He, the God of 
Igve and mercy, requires no penances, 
no lacerations of the body, no abstinence 
from lawful pursuits, no works of any 



36 Jovinian, 

sort to fit us for approaching Him. All, 
all he demands is faith in our risen Lord, 
His dear Son, whom He gave, and who 
willingly came, urged by love unspeakable 
to fallen man, to die, instead of the sinner 
returning to Him. He requires no human 
soul departing from the body to pass 
through purifying fires, as the foolish 
heathen believe, to fit that soul to come 
to Him ; the blood of Jesus Christ alone 
cleanseth from all sin — that fountain which 
gushed forth on Calvary is flowing still, 
as efiicacious as ever — that one sacrifice 
superseded all other sacrifices. No other 
is acceptable to Jehovah. Oh, the love, 
the love of Jesus ! — that love surpassing all 
human understanding, unequalled "by the 
love of created beings, of the angels in 
heaven for sinful man : that sympathy 
exhibited at the grave of Lazarus, that 
love shown at the time the Lord wept as 
He thought on the woes coming upon 
Jerusalem, — that love, that sympathy, 
exists bright and undiminished as ever, 
and will exist through all eternity, for 
surely it is part and parcel of the Divine 



The Catacombs. 37 

Nature, an attribute of the Almighty. That 
ear, ever open to the petitions of those 
who came to Him when He walked on 
earth, does that become dull or hard of 
hearing ? No, surely no ! He is as ready 
as ever to hear all who come to Him de- 
siring to be cleansed of sin. Does He, 
who while on earth knew what was in the 
heart of man, not see now into the inmost 
recesses of the soul } Can He who has 
numbered every hair of our heads, without 
whose knowledge not a sparrow falls to 
the ground, no longer watch over those 
who trust to Him ? Can He whd went 
about doing good — curing the sick, restor- 
ing the lunatics to reason, giving sight to 
the blind, feeding the multitudes — who 
blessed the marriage feast at Cana of 
Galilee, who mixed freely in all social 
intercourse with his fellow-men — can He, 
I ask, take pleasure in seeing men and 
women exclude themselves from their 
fellow-beings, emaciate and weaken the 
body and mind by fastings, vigils, flagella- 
tions, such as are practised by idolaters } 
Oh no ! our King demands a willing, 



38 yovmian. 

joyous, active service from His subjects. 
He would have them look to Him as 
their example, strengthening the mind and 
body, that they may the better go about 
and do good, as He did to their fellow- 
men ! 

" I speak of these things, beloved 
brethren and sisters, because I see evil 
times coming on the assemblies of Christ's 
followers. Already many, departing from 
the true faith as taught by the apostles, 
believe in foolish fables devised by 
Satan, to mislead, if possible, the very 
elect ; offering prayers to other mediators, 
men and women like themselves — to those 
who, though martyrs, required as much as 
we all do the cleansing blood of Jesus to 
purify them from sin : even to Mary oi 
Nazareth, the honoured mother of the Lord, 
do they pray — to her whom He com- 
mitted to the care and keeping of the 
beloved disciple, knowing that she required 
the support of a fellow-creature. And — oh, 
miserable folly!— some are even placing 
value on dead men's bones, as if, when 
the soul has departed, those remnants of 



The Catacombs. 39 

humanity are aught else but the dust from 
whence they were taken. As senseless 
are they as the idolaters who fall down 
before the images of the false gods. I 
warn you, beloved ones, brethren and 
sisters in the faith, pray for grace to be 
guided and directed aright, that you may 
keep free from the erroneous practices, the 
idolatries, into which so many, naming the 
name of Christ, are daily falling. Already 
the enemies of the truth, the emissaries of 
Satan, are up and doing ; and as Christians 
depart from the simplicity of the Gospel 
US it is in Christ Jesus, so does the great 
opponent of the Gospel gain an influence 
over them, and lead them away captive at 
his will. 

" I beseech you, then, be warned ; seek 
for grace to hold fast the faith, ever 
looking to Jesus, its Author and Finisher, 
for guidance and support, imitating closely 
His walk on earth; be armed with the 
shield of truth, the breastplate of faith, and 
the helmet of salvation ! " 

The venerable speaker sat down, and 
another rose — a person of middle age, and 



40 Jovinian. 

grave, dignified ^ demeanour — apparently, 
from the tone of authority with which 
he spoke, an elder of the assembly. His 
address was also one of warning: he 
pointed out the danger to which Christians 
were exposed, now that they were no 
longer persecuted by the jrulers of the 
earth, from the false teaching of the 
philosophers, who had embraced some of 
the tenets of their faith, as well as from 
others, who, not going to the fountain- 
head — to Moses and the prophets, to the 
Gospels and Epistles — brought forward 
notions and ideas of their own. Especially, 
too, he warned them against the danger 
to which the assemblies were exposed from 
the wealth now flowing freely into the 
hands of those in authority, intended for 
the widows and orphans, and the support 
of hospitals for the sick, but which, as he 
pointed out, had in too many other places 
been diverted from its proper object, and 
expended in enabling the bishops to 
appear with the pomp and show of worldly 
rulers. " Let us," he concluded, " pray 
that the Holy Spirit may give us grace 



The Catacombs. 41 

that we may continue to worship the 
Father, through the mediation of our 
Blessed Lord and Master, according to 
the example set us by the apostles, and 
to withstand the numerous heresies which 
are making inroads among the assemblies 
of Christians." 

Again all rose, and, led by their vene- 
rable president, lifted up their voices in 
prayer. Another hymn was sung, and the 
president then taking a loaf of bread, 
wrapped in a cloth, broke it, and poured 
out some wine . from an amphora into a 
cup. After reading from the Gospel the 
institution of the Lord's Supper, he dis- 
tributed the bread and wine to each 
individual of the assembly, simply saying, 
" As Christ's body was broken for us on 
the accursed tree, and as His blood was 
shed for us, so do we eat this broken bread 
and drink this wine in remembrance that 
he died for our sins, offering thereby a full 
and sufficient propitiation, and that He 
rose again, and ascended into heaven, to 
take His seat at the right hand of God, 
and there to plead His death for the re- 



42 yovtnian. 

mission of the sins of all who believe in 
Him." 

The young slave, who had partaken with 
the rest of the bread and wine, now rose, 
and presented her basket of provisions, as 
sent by the presbyter Amulius and the 
assembly in his house, to their beloved 
brethren and sisters, Gentianus, Severus, 
Eugenia, and the rest. 

" Say that Gentianus and his child return 
their heartfelt thanks," replied the aged 
president. "Do you, Severus, distribute 
the food to our brethren," he added, 
turning to the presbyter, who advanced to 
take it ; and, aided by the female slave 
and another person, he gave a portion of 
the contents to each of the company. 
There was an ample supply, both of food 
and wine, for all present, and still the 
basket was not half emptied. Before 
any one commenced eating the president 
uttered a short prayer, that their Hea- 
venly Father would bless the food to the 
strengthening of their bodies and the support 
of their spiritual life. It was then eaten 
with thankfulness, while a cheerful con- 



The Catacombs. 43 

versation was carried on among all present. 
Gentianus then beckoned to the slave. 

"What news, do you bring from the 
city, Rufina ? Has AmuHus sent any 
message by you ? " he asked. 

" Alas ! my lord Gentianus, although 
Augustus supports the Christians in the 
East, the heathens in Rome still struggle 
desperately to maintain their supremacy," 
replied the slave. " They dare not openly 
oppress believers, but by every secret 
means they endeavour to overthrow the 
faith ; and knowing that Coecus still seeks 
your life and that of my lord Severus, 
Amulius advises you to remain in conceal- 
ment till happier times arrive. That will 
be, he hopes, ere long; for already the 
emperor — though, alas, himself ignorant of 
the truth — professes to have become a 
Christian, and has raised Christians to 
posts of power and dignity in the state 
and in his army; many heathen temples, 
where abominable rites' were wont to be 
practiced, have by his orders been closed ; 
and information has been received that he 
purposes to interfere with those in Rome, 



44 yovmian. 

to prohibit the practice of magic arts, the 
impostures of the augurs, and to place the 
Christians on an equal footing with the 
idolaters." 

This announcement, which would, it 
might have been supposed, have produced 
unmitigated satisfaction among the as- 
sembly, was listened to by Gentianus with 
the gravity he had before maintained. 
"Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes — I fear 
the Greeks even when bringing gifts. The 
man who through jealousy put to death 
his eldest son, who has murdered with- 
out compunction his nephews and other 
relatives, can have none of the spirit of 
Christ, and any support he affords the 
Christians must be given from political 
motives,'' he observed. *' Let us not be 
deceived by them, my beloved brethren ; 
outward prosperity and the patronage of 
the great ones of the earth are far more 
fraught with danger to the true faith 
than were the persecutions we have gone 
through ; already have many been seduced 
from the truth by the allurements of 
wealth and the desire to obtain worldly 



The Catacombs. 45 

dignities and power. And now, Rufina/* 
he continued, after speaking for some time 
on the same subject, "what account do 
you bring us of the young Jovinian ? Has 
he succeeded in escaping from the power 
of his uncle, the pontiff (iaius ? '* 

" No ; he is still held captive, and 
strictly watched," answered Rufina. "I 
have in vain endeavoured to communicate 
with him through the Numidian who has 
him in charge. His faith must be put to 
a sore trial, but the presbyter Amulius 
believes that he has been too well in- 
structed in the truth to depart from it." 

"Let us pray that grace may be given 
him to hold firmly to the faith," said 
Gentianus. "I feel a deep interest in the 
youth, for his sainted mother was brought 
out of darkness into the blessed light of 
the Gospel by my instructions, and I know 
how earnestly she prayed that her only 
child should remain faithful, even though 
martyrdom might be the consequence. 
Could Jovinian escape from his guardians, 
he might here remain concealed, and be 
further established in the faith, till Gaius 



46 Jovinian. 

has abandoned all search for him, or 
an opportunity offers of flying with you, 
Severus and Eugenia, to some place where 
you may be safe from pursuit." 

" I would, as a sacred duty, take charge 
of the orphap boy, and instruct him in the 
truth, so that he may be qualified to per- 
form his duty in spreading the Gospel/' 
said Severus. 

"And I will let him share a mother's 
love with our young Julia," said Eugenia, 

"Tell Amulius what you have heard, 
Rufina," said Gentianus ; " and now return 
to the city, thank those who have provided 
for our necessities, and bring us, we pray 
thee, intelligence of anything important 
Amulius deems it necessary to send." 
^ The assembly now broke up. Rufina 
returned by the way she had come, accom- 
panied by several persons who had visited 
the abode of Gentianus for the purpose of 
joining in the religious meeting, but who 
lived above ground in the neighbourhood 
of Rome. Some regained the upper world 
by different outlets ; besides Gentianus and 
his household, a few only, who for some 



The Catacombs. 47 

cause had reason to dread the hostility of 
the idolaters still, remaining in those sub- 
terranean passages. Here, in chambers 
excavated in the soft rock, they had their 
dwellings, which they quitted only at night 
to enjoy the fresh air, when trusty persons 
were placed on the watch to give notice of 
the approach of any who might betray 
them. Many of the fossors or excavators 
had from the early days of Christianity 
been converted, and had thus been able to 
act as guides to the fugitives from perse- 
cution, and to hollow out chambers in the 
remoter parts of the galleries where they 
could live without being discovered, unless, 
as was sometimes the case, they were 
betrayed by the treachery of pretended 
Christians. 



^^x^tt IV. 

THE PROCESSION. 

THE sun had scarcely risen half-way 
to the meridian when the head of 
the sacrificial procession streamed forth 
from the Temple of Peace, in the wide 
forum belonging to which its component 
parts had been collected and arranged. 
Preceded by banners came the pontiffs of 
the sacred college, walking under silken 
canopies to shield their persons from the 
sun's, burning rays. They were followed 
by the augurs in saffron and purple togas, 
wearing on their heads the conical caps 
with spikes of olive-wood, and carrying the 
litui — long staffs with golden crooks at the 
ends.* Then came the tubicini, or trum- 
peters, sounding loudly on their curved 

* Ever since borne by the bishops of the Roman 
Church. 



The Procession. 49 

instruments of bronze with shrill notes, 
and the tubae, straight silver trumpets. 
Following them, with various ensigns and 
insignia, emerged the chief flamens, wearing 
the laena and apex, with wreaths of laurel. 
Now, after a profusion of banners, appeared 
a chariot drawn by four white steeds, richly 
adorned with wreaths, bearing along a 
magnificent statue of Jupiter Tonans,* with 
thunderbolts in hand, followed by superb 
statues, larger than life, of Mars, Apollo, 
Juno, Venus, and Minerva — the goddesses 
habited in robes either supplied by pious 
matrons or from the properties of the 
temples. The car of Juno, adorned with 
peacocks' feathers,t that of the Cytherean 
Venus, with apple in hand, was drawn 
along, her car bearing imitations of swans 
and doves, and ornamented with wreaths 
of myrtle and roses. The car of Minerva 
followed, the goddess represented by a 

* One day to appear in the edifice dedicated to St 
Peter, to act the part of the apostle ; the ignorant multi- 
tude being taught by the modem flamens devoutly to 
kiss its toe. 

t Still used in the papal processions. 

4 



50 yovinian. 

gigantic statue^ a sphinx in the middle of 
the helmet, supported on either side by 
grifiSns, while standing on her car were 
huge dragons, cocks, and owls, with 
branches of the olive-tree arranged upon 
it. All these cars were drawn, not by 
horses, but by young patricians, who 
eagerly sought the opportunity to per- 
form so grateful a service to the deities 
they worshipped. In a long line came 
other gods and goddesses, not seated in 
cars, but placed on high platforms, carried 
by men, some appearing singly and others 
in groups, representing the various actions 
for which they were renowned. Between 
each god or goddess walked youths, swing- 
ing censers, emitting as they moved them 
to and fro sweet odours grateful to their 
divinities. The bearers of the almost count- 
less images were, like those who drew the 
chariots, mostly patricians, or young men 
of wealth of plebeian family, who thus 
sought an easy mode of exhibiting their 
piety. 

Now came, preceded by lictors with their 
fasces, the vestal virgins, seated in silver 



The Procession. 5 1 

chariots drawn by milk-white steeds, fol- 
lowed closely by another band of flamens 
leading a long line of hostia (oxen to be 
sacrificed), their horns richly gilded, their 
heads adorned with wreaths, each animal 
led by a victimarius. So numerous werp 
they, that it appeared as if the line 
would never end ; foi: 'Coecus had ar- 
ranged to offer up a whole hecatomb of 
victims. 

Following the hostia came another band 
of trumpeters with numerous -banners, the 
ornaments at their summits glittering in 
the sun j^' with a band of inferior priests, 
minor flamens^ popos,* and other attendants 
at the temples, chanting loudly in honour 
of their gods; while next came large 
parties of citizens in festive dresses, eager 
to show their affection for the long-estab- 
lished religion of their ancestors ; the whole 
followed by a body of troops, with their 
standards unfurled, and other insignia held 
aloft. The procession, as seen from a dis- 
tance, had indeed the appearance of some 

* The popos were priests appointed to put the victims 
to death. 



52 yovinian. 

• 

enormous serpent with shining scales, as, 
emerging from the precincts of the temple, 
it wound its way along through the narrow 
streets, past the temples of Venus and 
Rome, under the colossal statue of Nero, on^ 
the outside of which scaffolding had been 
erected, affording accommodation to thou- 
sands of spectators ; then turning west- 
ward, under the arch of Titus, and between 
the numerous temples which lined that 
portion of the Sacra Via, through the 
Forum Romanum, under the arch of 
Severus; when, gaining the Capitol, it 
proceeded direct towards the temple of 
Jupiter Optimus. Here the head of the 
vast column, the pontiffs, the flamens, and 
the augurs, as they arrived, gathered in 
due order under the porch, — the various 
statues of the gods being ranged on either 
side, the vestal virgins taking the post of 
honour awarded to them, while the people, 
arranged themselves so as to leave an open 
space round the numerous altars, whicji 
stood prepared for the sacrifice of the 
victims. The animals, as they came up 
held by the victimarii, were arranged in 



The Procession. 53 

front of the altars; when the flamens, 
having strewed their heads with roasted 
barley-meal, the popos, stripped and 
girt ready, advanced with huge hammers 
in their belts; then, at a signal from the 
chief pontiff, the fires were lighted, and 
each of the performers having been pre- 
viously sprinkled with holy-water, the 
popos, holding up the heads of the animals, 
gave the fatal blow which brought them to 
the ground ; when, the deadly knives being 
plunged into the victims' hearts, they were 
rapidly and skilfully dismembered. The 
augurs, with due care, examined the intes- 
tines, which, being placed on the altars, 
were now strewed with barley-meal; and 
as the fires blazed up, wine was poured 
forth, and incense thrown upon them ; the 
trumpets the meantime sounding, and the 
choristers loudly singing hymns in praise of 
Jupiter and the immortal gods. As the 
incense rose in thick clouds towards the 
sky from the multitudes of altars, the pontiff 
delivered a stirring oration to the people in 
praise of the gods, exhorting them to con- 
tinue firm to their worship. As the pontiff 



54 yovinian. 

ceased, the whole temple became filled 
with the ^ sweet-scented smoke of the in- 
cense, the drums sounded out their loudest 
notes, and as the people shouted fprth their 
vows to adhere to the ancient faith under 
which Rome had becomegreat and powerful, 
many declared that the gods were seen to 
smile in approval of their piety. 

When the procession first emerged from 
the temple, close to where Gaius walked 
was seen a powerful Numidian slave, 
holding by the hand a young and hand- 
some boy. Every now and then Gaius 
glanced at the latter, apparently to observe 
what so imposing a scene was producing 
on his mind. The boy appeared to pay 
but little attention to the pageant; but 
though he did not struggle, he walked as 
one who felt himself a captive, and his 
eye ranged eagerly over the countenances 
of the spectators, especially on those who 
stood far back in the crowd, as if he 
were searching for some one with whom 
he desired to speak. He made but short 
replies to the slave, who seemed to take 
pleasure in telling him the names of 



The Procession. 55 

the temples, and describing the attributes 
of those gods to whom they were dedi- 
cated. At length, when the temple of 
Jupiter, on the Capitoline Hill, was reached, 
and Gaius stood, with others of the pon- 
tiffs, on the steps, the Numidian led the 
boy to a position behind his master, where 
he could see all that was going forward. 
The victims had been slain, and their 
entrails were still burning, when, at a sign 
from Gaius, the Numidian brought forward 
the lad. 

"This must have been an interesting 
sight for you, my dear Jovinian," said 
Gaius to his nephew; "let me see that 
you appreciate it. Come, you shall have 
the privilege of taking part in the sacri- 
fice. A flamen will give you some in- 
cense : cast it on the altar ; the act is 
a simple one, and will prove a grateful 
offering to the Immortals." 

"I would obey you, uncle, in all the 
things of life," answered Jovinian firmly ; 
"but understand that the God we Chris- 
tians adore is a spirit, and desires to be 
worshipped from the heart in spirit and in 



56 yovintan. 

truth, and that the offering of incense, 
even to Him, is offensive as it is vain ; much 
more so is it when burnt in honour of 
those who are no gods, but the foolish 
imaginings of ignorant men ; and I will 
not do what is displeasing to Him, and 
would bitterly grieve the heart of my 
beloved mother, could she see me." 

" Boy ! boy ! how dare you use language 
such as this to me, a Roman pontiff!" 
exclaimed Gaius, becoming angry; then, 
after a moment, resuming his calm de- 
meanour, he continued, "What folly is 
this, that you should object to so trifling 
an act as that I wish you to perform ! " 

"No act, however trifling, if offensive 
to the true God, can le performed with- 
out sin," answered Jovinian. "I am told 
that thousands submitted to be torn to 
pieces, or crucified, or to be slain by gla- 
diators, in yonder Flavian amphitheatre, 
rather than act as you would have me 

do." 

"Remember, Jovinian, that I have the 
power to compel you to do as I desire," 
said Gaius; "it is not for my own plea- 



The Procession. 57 

sure, but to satisfy the scruples of my 
principal, and to prove that you are a true 
child of ancient Rome." 

'• Uncle, I will not do this sinful thing," 
answered the boy, in a tone of determi- 
nation in which Gaius had never before 
heard him speak. "You may order the 
Numidian to flog me, you may refuse me 
food, oi* have me put to death with any tor- 
tures you can devise, but I tell you I pos- 
sess a strength beyond my own. It is that 
which God gives to those who trust Him. 
He is omnipotent, and nothing human 
can withstand His power. Therefore, I say 
again, you cannot compel me." 

Gaius was astonished at the bold answer 
of his young relative, and was afraid to 
press the point, lest the bystanders might 
overhear the conversation. He accord- 
ingly judged it prudent to commit him 
again to the care of the Numidian, direct- 
ing the slave, as he valued his life, not to 
let the boy escape. Meantime the augurs 
had been examining with sagacious looks 
the entrails of the slain animals, and soon 
unanimously announced with authoritative 



58 yovinian. 

voices that the gods were pleased with 
the liberal sacrifices offered to them, and 
that, undoubtedly, as long as Rome itself 
should stand, their ancient faith would 
continue, in spite of the assaults made on 
it by the Christians and other atheists. 
The vast multitude shouted loudly at the 
announcement, their cries being taken up 
by those who stood at the eastern brink of 
the Capitoline Hill, and echoed by the 
masses who thronged the streets along the 
Forum even to the Flavian Amphitheatre, 
where many remained to watch the return 
of the procession to the spot whence it 
had set out. The carcases of the beasts 
not consumed were distributed liberally 
among the families of the inferior flamens 
and servitors at the temples, the begging 
priests pushing eagerly forward to get a 
share of the flesh, of which there was 
enough to supply large numbers of the 
people. Coecus, again marshalling his 
forces, led the way from the temple, the 
various performers following in due order. 
"This day's work, as I foretold would 
be the case, has been a success, Gaius," he 



The Procession* 59 

observed to the younger pontiff, as with 
stately step they marched along through 
the Forum. " We must devise others of a 
similar nature to amuse the populace, and 
use every effort to win back those of the 
patricians who are showing indifference 
to the worship of the gods. Provided we 
employ proper measures, they can be as 
easily gulled as the ignorant multitude; 
but we must suit the bait to the nature of 
the birds to be caught." 

" I feel not so certain of success. Those 
who have once adopted the principles of 
the Nazarenes are not likely to be won 
back again," answered Gains. *' I have 
lately had an example of the obstinacy of 
these people ; they are not to be influenced 
by persuasion or dread of consequences. 
We know how they behaved in former 
ages ; and even when Diocletian found 
that they were dangerous to the state, and 
allowed them to receive the punishment 
they deserved, they still persevered in propa- 
gating their faith, unmoved by the dread 
of the fate awaiting them. Then what . 
can we expect now that the emperor 



6o jfovinian. 

patronises them, and, as it is reported, 
actually professes to have become a 
Christian ? 

" By Bacchus ! then we must find 
another mode of acting," said Ccecus. " If 
we cannot destroy, we can corrupt their 
faith, and, depend on it, success will attend 
our efforts." 

Meantime young Joyinian, attended by 
the Numidian, had returned to ffis uncle's 
abode. Gaius, taking the hint from Ccecus, 
still hoped to win over his nephew, for 
whom he entertained all the affection a 
man of his nature was capable of feeling. 
Observing that the boy suffered from 
confinement, he allowed him to take walks 
through the city, closely attended by the 
Numidian Eros — who was charged, how- 
ever, to keep a strict watch on him, that 
he might be prevented from making his 
escape or communicating with any of his 
mother's Christian friends. 



Cl^jler V. 

THE YOUNG CAPTIVE. 

J O VI N I AN was treated with much 
consideration by his uncle Gaius. 
He enjoyed the privilege of a room to 
himself, in which he could read without 
interruption, and to which his meals were 
generally carried. When, however, he 
went to the door, he found the Numidian, 
or another slave who acted as his assistant, 
stretched on a mat at the entrance, or 
sdated on a stool close at hand. He had 
thus evidence that he was treated as a 
captive, and suspected of being desirous 
of making his escape. He was abundantly 
supplied with books, — Horace, Virgil, and 
Ovid for lighter reading, and translations 
of the works of Plato and his disciples for 
his more serious studies. But beautiful as 
was the language, he turned from them 



62 yavinian. 

with disgust, so full of sophistries did they 
appear. There was one book which he 
took up with greater satisfaction than all 
the others. He had obtained it when 
out walking one day with Eros, and the 
Numidian's watchful eye was for a short 
period averted from him. While gazing 
at a spectacle exhibited in one of the 
temples, Jovinian had recognised his friend 
the presbyter Amulius, who was coming 
quickly towards him. Before Eros had 
looked round, Amulius had slipped into 
his hand a roll of parchment ; he immedi- 
ately concealed it in his bosom. He was 
on the point of whispering, " Oh, take me 
with you ! " and stretching out his hand to 
his relative, when Eros turned round. The 
Numidian seemed to have suspected his 
design, for he immediately grasped him 
by the arm, and took care for the re- 
mainder of the walk not to withdraw his 
eye from him. 

On reaching home, Jovinian eagerly 
examined the roll. He discovered, to his 
delight, that it was the Gospel written 
by the apostle John. The roll contained 



The Young Captive^ 63 

another small piece of vellum, on which 
were written some lines from Amulius, 
urging him to practise the gift of patience, 
and to remain firm to the principles de- 
livered to him by his beloved mother. 
Henceforth the book was his constant 
study, and from its page he drew con- 
solation and instruction. One morning 
Eros, entering his chamber, inquired 
whether he was disposed to go out and 
enjoy the air. He thankfully agreed to 
the proposal, and having concealed his 
precious volume beneath his dress, he 
accompanied the Numidian. It was a 
day on which one of the numerous fes- 
tivals held in honour of the gods was 
being celebrated in the city. The streets 
were thronged by persons of all ranks and 
ages, the shrines as usual lighted up and 
decorated with flowers, the lower order of 

ft 

priests were going about collecting con- 
tributions for their temples, and holding 
up the small images of their gods. They 
were passing the temple of Bellona, the 
Isis of the Egyptians, when Eros, grasping 
Jovinian's arm, pulled him in. 



64 yovinian, 

" Here is a scene worth witnessing," he 
observed ; *' see how devoted are the wor- 
shippers of the great goddess." 

Unlike most of the other temples, it was 
enclosed by walls to exclude the light of 
day. Following the windings of a narrow 
passage, the Numidian and the reluctant 
youth found themselves in a gallery within 
the temple, which appeared shrouded in 
gloom, except at the further end, where, 
above the altar, was seen, surrounded by 
pale lights, the statue of the goddess 
standing on a crescent moon, holding a 
globe in her hand ; while before her were 
several closely-shorn, bare-footed priests, 
habited in linen garments, now bending 
low before her, now lifting up their hands 
in the attitude of prayer, while the whole 
area was filled with a multitude of persons 
in rapid motion, from whom issued cries 
and groans, above which could be dis- 
tinguished the sound of the whips echoing 
through the edifice. 

For some minutes, Jovinian's eye, un- 
accustomed to the darkness, could not see 
what was taking place ; but at length he 



The Young Captive^ 65 

perceived that all the persons below him 
were armed with whips, with which they 
were unmercifully flagellating, not ea,ch 
other, but their own bodies stripped naked 
to the waist. Some, from their dark 
skins, were apparently Egyptians, but many 
among them were evidently Romans. Now 
some of the priests, throwing off their 
robes, and seizing whips, which' lay beside 
the altar, joined the mad throng, shouting 
and encouraging them to perseverance 
in the extraordinary performance. While 
this scene was enacting, several other per- 
sons appeared, issuing from doors on either 
side of the altar. Among them, Jovinian, 
to his surprise, distinguished his uncle 
Gaius, with Coecus and other pontiffs, who 
stood by, while a flamen, with his back to 
the people, lifted up his hands above his 
head, as if offering sacrifice to the goddess. 

" What can induce those people thus to 
torment themselves ? " asked Jovinian. " It 
appears to me as if they had all gone mad 
together ! " 

"Know you not that we stand in the 
temple of the Queen of Heaven, the most 

5 



66 yovinian. 

ancient goddess known to mortals ? " ex- 
claimed the Numidian, "These, her vota- 
ries^ ara thus inflicting pain on their bodies 
to purify themselves from sin, and be 
able to approach her shrine and merit her 
approval and affection." 

" Can it be possible that people are so 
ignorant as to suppose that any being of a 
divine nature can take pleasure in mortal 
suffering ? " asked Jovinian. " How different 
must she be to the true God, so full of 
mercy and loving-kindness, who delights 
in showering blessings on His worshippers ! 
Let us go hence ; I can no longer stay to 
witness such egregious folly and wicked- 



ness." 



Still the Numidian seemed inclined to 
linger; but Jovinian, breaking from him, 
made his way towards the passage by 
which they had entered, and Eros was com- 
pelled to follow for fear of losing sight of 
his charge. Jovinian breathed more freely 
when he got into the open air. He was 
too much lost in thought to make any 
further remark to his companion. As they 
proceeded on their walk they passed nume- 



The Young Captive. 67 

rous shrines^ before each of which Eros 
stopped^ and lifting up his hands, invoked 
the idol, seeming to care very little which 
of the gods or goddesses it represented 

" Can those marble figures render you 
any service, think you ? " asked Jovinian, as 
they walked on. 

"I know not; but my betters say so, 
and it is as well to be on the safe side," 
answered the Numidian, with a shrug of 
his shoulders. 

" But suppose they represent demons in- 
stead of divine beings, if you invoke them 
they are more likely to do you harm than 
good ; and knowing, as I do, that there is 
but one true, all-powerful God, I am sure 
that He does not allow any inferior 
creatures to interfere between Him and 
man," replied Jovinian. " We, who are His 
children through faith in His Son, can go 
'direct to Him in prayer, requiring no other 
.intercessor but our Lord and Master, nor 
any symbol to aid us in worshipping Him." 

" Yours seems a very simple faith ; and if 
I thought that the one great and all-power- 
ful God of whom you speak would hear my 



68 yovinian. 

prayers and grant them, I would cease to 
worship all the gods and goddesses, whose 
very names I have a difficulty in re- 
membering, and would trust only to Him," 
answered Eros. 

• " You would act most wisely and happily 
for yourself," said Jovinian, "Come with 
me into yonder building ; I see several 
persons entering who, by their dress and 
demeanour, I know to be Christians." 

Eros made no objection. The edifice 
was enclosed by a wall, which shut out 
those within from public gaze. Passing 
through a door, they entered a spacious 
hall capable of containing several hundred 
persons. No statues nor pictures were to 
be seen ; at the further end was a raised 
desk, at which stood a lector or reader, 
while a higher desk at the same part of the 
building, formed like a rostrum, served for 
the preacher who was to address the con- 
gregation. In the centre stood a long 
table, with seats round it, while the re- 
mainder of the area was filled with benches 
in rows, so arranged that their occupants 
could look towards the lector and preacher 



The Young Captive. ^ 69 

The building was filling fast; in a few 
minutes all the seats were 'occupied. 
Shortly afterwards an aged man, habited 
in a toga, entering, took his seat on a chair 
close to the rostrum; then, standing up, 
after a minute of silent prayer, he gave out 
a hymn, in which the whole of the congre- 
gation joined. Portions of the Gospel and 
Epistles were read ; a prayer was then 
offered up, in which all the congregation 
joined. After another hymn, the presb3rter 
ascended the rostrum, and delivered an 
address. It explained simply the princi- 
ples of the Christian faith, and the plan 
of salvation offered by God to sinful man. 
Eros listened attentively, and drank in 
every word. He sighed when it terminated. 
Another hymn having been sung, the con- 
gregation began to separate. 

*' Would that I could hear more of it 1 " 
the slave observed to Jovinian ; " after this 
I can never again pray to the stocks and 
stones which I have hitherto called my 
gods." 

" You can come as often as you like; and 
there are several other places in Rome 



70 yovinian. 

where assemblies of the faithful are wont 
to be held, thanks to the liberality of the 
emperor, who allows the Christians to meet 
everywhere as they desire," said Jovinian. 
" But I would urge you to speak forthwith to 
the presbyter who delivered the discourse, 
or to the venerable overseer who presided ; 
or, if you would prefer it, I would take you 
to the house of my relative Amulius. He 
^s always ready to give instruction; and 
there are some, I fear, holding false doc- 
trines, who would mislead you as to the 
principles of our holy faith." 

''What, do you Christians differ from 
each other in your belief?" ^ked the 
Numidian, in a tone of surprise. 

"Alas! I am told that there are mauy 
V^ho call themselves Christians, holding 
opinions contrary to those taught by the 
Holy Scriptures," said Jovinian ; "but they 
4,iflrer greatly one from the other. Such 
was the case even in the time of the 
.apostles, and we cannot expect it to b^ 
otherwise at present, when men in their 
pride of reason refuse to submit themselves 
^0 the plain teaching of Christ." 



The Young Captive. 7 1 

" You appear to have thought much on 
these subjects, for one so young," observed 
the Numidian. 

''I have been well instructed by those 
who know the truth, and have ever sought 
guidance from God's Holy Spirit/' an- 
swered Jovinian. 

Eros was silent ; he was pondering deeply 
on what he had heard. 

Jovinian, on his return to the college, 
retired to his room. Gains was still absent ; 
he was too much engaged when he returned, 
fortunately for Jovinian, to question him as 
to where he had been during his walk. 
The pontiff was acute enough to discover 
that he was not likely to win his nephew 
over to a belief in idolatry ; but he hoped, 
by giving him the writings of the Greek 
philosophers, and of their numerous dis- 
ciples and imitators of the present time, 
so to draw his mind away from the truth 
that he might be willing to enter into his 
schemes, and to become in reality a sceptic 
in all religious matters, as he was himself, 
with one exception : if, indeed, he had any 
belief, it was in the great goddess of Baby- 



1 



72 yovinian. 

Ion — Astarte or Ashtaroth, the Queen of 
Heaven — ^whose worship, having spread 
through Asia into Egypt, had, with that 
of her son Horos, long been established in 
Italy under different names. In Egypt 
she was known as Isis, in Rome as Bellona* 
He, as was the case with the other pontiffs, 
had long been initiated into her mysteries, 
and he trusted that in time his nephew 
would be qualified to become one of her 
votaries. Her worship had, indeed, ever 
been the most popular, and provided that 
could be maintained, he felt sure that it 
would successfully oppose the two princi- 
ples of the Christian faith, which he under- 
stood to consist in the belief of one God 
and one mediator between God and man. 
He was not aware of the power of simple 
faith when he thus entertained hopes of 
winning over his nephew, or that Jovinian 
went daily to the fountain-head to seek for 
that strength he so much needed in order 
to resist the temptations presented to him. 
Jovinian soon discovered the tendency of 
the works his uncle gave him, and as he 
read he sought for grace to refute their 



The Young Captive. 73 

sophistries; nor did he seek in vain. He 
found, however, that it was wise not to 
enter into discussions with Gaius, who fully 
believed that ere long his nephew's faith 
would be completely overcome. The 
pontiff now began to open his views to 
Jovinian, and to excite his ambition with 
the prospect, should he follow his advice, 
of becoming great and powerful, and 
ruling his fellow-creatures through their 
superstition. He frequently invited him 
out, taking the precaution to have a slave 
following close at hand to stop him should 
he attempt to escape, though he believed 
that there was now little probability of 
his doing so. At length, so complete was 
the confidence he placed in him, that he 
allowed him to be present at the councils 
of the pontiffs, where, seated, his book in 
hand, at the further end of the hall, his 
presence was not observed. Jovinian, very 
naturally, did not object to this, nor could he 
fail to be interested in the discussions he 
frequently overheard. 



Cl^aqjter VI. 

A DEBATE. 

AT length, one evening, the whole of the 
pontiffs of the sacred college were 
assembled, and it was evident from their 
manner that a matter of more than usual 
importance was to be brought forward. 
The gods being invoked, and the usual 
forms hurried over, Ccecus, who acted as 
president, rose. 

" Friends and brother pontiffs," he began^ 
"disastrous news has reached me. You 
well know that the emperor has long been 
favourable to the Christians. He has now 
openly declared himself a convert to their 
faith. His motive it is easy to perceive : he 
considers that the Christians throughout the 
empire already outnumber the followers of 
the ancient faith ; and perchance he hopes to 
obtain pardon from the God of the Chris- 



A Debate. 75 

<tians for the murder of his son, the hapless 
<]rispus, of his wife, the traduced Fausta, 
of his nephew, and brother-inJaw, Licinius, 
and the many others his jealousy has 
dpomed to death. Be that as it may, his 
acts show enmity to the ancient faith ; he 
has already in the East destroyed nume- 
rous temples of the gods, and prohibited 
tiie celebration of many of those august 
mysteries which have existed from time 
knmemorial. Holding, as he does, the 
office of Pontifex Maximus, putting us and 
our holy college on one side, he has taken 
upon himself the right to raise the ministers 
jof the Christians to high ranks and dignities, 
and has issued edicts accordingly, so that 
from henceforth those men whom we have 
hitherto looked down upon will, claiming 
the authority of the emperor, vaunt it over 
us ; and, what is of more consequence, will 
obtain the revenues which have hitherto 
dowed into our coffers ; while we, neglected 
and degraded, must sink into insignificance. 
Are we, I ask, my friends, tamely to submit 
to such treatment ? Are no means to be 
found to arrest the progress of this pesti- 



76 yovinian. 

ferous religion, which so many of wealth 
and rank are eagerly embracing, and 
whicbi now it has become fashionable at 
court, will still further increase? Can no 
one suggest a scheme by which we may 
retain our office, and still, as of yore, govern 
the minds of the multitude ? Unless some 
plan can be devised, I warn you all that 
our course is run, and penury and neglect 
must be our lot" 

Silence followed the address of Coecus — 
a groan alone now and then escaping from 
the bosoms of the pontiffs ; for they had 
not watched the rapid increase of the Chris- 
tian faith among all ranks without^ being 
conscious that the system which they sup- 
ported was tottering to its base. At length, 
one by one, they broke silence; but their 
proposals were treated as vain and useless 
by the sagacious Coecus. 

" We have but one resource, my friends," 
he answered; "far from giving way to 
despair, I feel confident that it will succeed, 
if carried out with due wisdom and secresy. 
But we must be united, and by forming 
strict rules for our guidance, we shall still 



A Debate. 77 

retain our power and influence, and govern 
the minds, not only of the people of Rome, 
but of those of the nations subject to her. 
We ourselves must become Christians ! 
Some few may doubt our conversion, but 
the great mass will gladly welcome us, and 
continue to pay us the honour we have 
hitherto received. I say not this till after 
profound reflection. Our sacred college 
will still exist, and by the exertion of our 
influence, we shall obtain the appointment 
of the bishops and presbyters of the Chris- 
tians, chosen either from our own body or 
from among such men as we shall find 
ready to support us. We shall have but to 
change the names of the gods. Already 
have many of the Christians begun to 
worship those whom they esteem holy or 
who were put to death in the times of 
Nero, Diocletian, and other emperors. Their 
folly will greatly facilitate our object, and 
it will matter little to us under what names 
the immortal gods are worshipped. We 
may, by proper caution, induce them to 
adore our own great goddess, the Queen of 
Heaven,- -she who has been, shall be, and 



78 Jovinian. 

whose mysterious existence none among 
mortals can comprehend. Be it known- 
to you, my friends, that He whom these 
Nazarenes worship, the Prophet of Naza- 
reth, was, they say, born of a woman ; and 
surely, as they adore Him, so may they 
easily be induced to adore His mother ; and 
it appears to me that they can be led away 
from the worship they pay to Him, to offer 
it to one whom we would present to them 
in the place of that human mother. Thus 
shall we by degrees wean them from the 
faith they now hold, — if we cannot openly 
oppose the progress of this new religion, we 
can corrupt it, — and if the gods and god- 
desses of ancient Rome are overthrown, we 
can place other objects of worship in their 
stead, or re-name them, rather, from the 
persons whom the Christians are wont to 
regard with respect. Those who have been 
taught to worship a dead Caesar will as 
willingly fall down before the statue of a 
woman whom they consider a saint ; thus 
it will give us but little trouble to change 
the religious observances and ceremonies 
to which the people have been accustomed 



A Debate. 79 

to suit the new religion. Let us not, then^ 
give way to despair : Rome will continue, 
as of yore, faithful to the worship of the 
angient gods, and we, their priests, shall 
retain our power and influence." 

The scheme proposed by Coecus met 
with general approbation. Jovinian had 
retaiiied his seat, his eyes fixed on his 
manuscript, but attentively listening to all 
that was uttered. The words he heard, 
" If we cannot overcome, we can corrupt," 
especially struck his ear ; he was too well 
acquainted with the errors which had crept 
in among the assemblies of the Christians 
not to be sensible that even those who held 
the faith might be led astray : how much 
more easily might the ignorant idolaters 
be led to worship any objects presented to 
them ! As he sat motionless in his place 
of concealment, yet more of the scheme 
was revealed ; the characters of the very 
persons who were to be made its instru- 
ments were discussed. A feeling of horror 
and dismay crept over him. Could he by 
any means be enabled to counteract it ? 
He resolved to take counsel of his aged 



8o yomnian. 

friend, Gentianus. So strictly had he 
hitherto been watched that he knew full 
well the difficulties to be encountered in 
making his escape ; should his uncle Gaius 
discover that he had been present he 
would guard him still more closely. He 
dared not move lest he might be seen ; at 
present he was concealed from the assem- 
bled pontiffs by a pillar, but the slightest 
movement might betray him. At length 
the conclave broke up, and drawing their 
togas around' them, the pontiffs retired. 
Jovinian, trembling at the thought of 
the dark scheme he had discovered, made 
his way back to his room. Helpless 
as he was^ he felt unable to do anything 
to counteract the plans of _the conspira- 
tors, yet it was at all events his duty 
to make them known to the leading 
Christians of Rome; but whom among 
them could he trust besides Amulius, 
and Gentianus and his family } The first, 
though a presbyter,^ and a faithful and 
earnest man, might not have the courage 
to denounce a person of power and in- 
fluence like the pontiff Ccecus, supported 



A Debate. 8i 

as he was not only by the members of his 
college, but by all the wealthy philosophers 
and idolaters in Rome. Amulius might 
even doubt the accuracy of his statements ; 
Gentianus was far more likely to believe 
them, could he manage to communicate 
with him. Should, however, Gaius suspect 
that he had been present at the conference, 
he woqld be kept a far closer prisoner than 
before. Was Eros to be trusted ? He could 
not have failed to discover that Jovinian 
had been absent from his room, — ^he might 
have informed Gaius of the fact. Though 
Eros had professed to be deeply interested 
in what he had heard at the assembly of 
the Christians, it was doubtful whether he 
had been really converted ; even if he were 
so, the dread of the consequences to him- 
self should his. captive regain his liberty, 
might prevent him from conniving at his 
escape. Jovinian, therefore, felt it would 
be prudent not to trust him; and, eager 
as he was to get away, he endeavoured 
to appear reconciled to his lot. From 
principle as well as from disposition, any- 
thing like duplicity was especially hateful 

6 



82 Jovinian. 

to him, but he was driven to practise it, 
as affording him the only prospect of 
escaping from the thraldom in which he 
was held. Gains appeared to be com- 
pletely deceived; he spoke more openly 
to his nephew than he had hitherto done, 
though at the same time he was too wary 
not to keep the same strict watch over 
him as at first He now frequently took 
him out when he went abroad to visit the 
temples to give directions to the flamens 
and to advise them how to comport them- 
selves in the perilous circumstances in 
which they w6re placed. One and all 
were alarmed at the information which 
constantly reached them of the emperor's 
opposition to the ancient faith, and the 
support and patronage he afforded the 
Christians. Already numerous conversions 
had taken place among the patricians, as 
well as amoi^ persons of inferior rank ; 
whole families who had hitherto appeared 
to be staunch idolaters now professed 
themselves Christians. They not only 
met together openly for worship in several 
parts of the city, but had already begun to 



A Debate. 83 

erect several churches; while money con- 
tributed by the faithful for the support of 
widows and orphans and others in distress 
flowed into the coffers of their bishop. 
Wherever Gains went the fiamens met him 
with sad countenances ; though after he 
had held conversation with them in private, 
they generally appeared to become more 
cheerful. 

He was one day paying a domiciliary 
vi^it to the temple of Apollo, having 
entered by the door sacred to the flamens 
in the rear of the edifice. Gaius had a 
long conversation with the chief flamen 
while Jovinian was allowed to amuse him- 
self with looking over some ancient manu- 
scripts kept in a chest in the room in which 
they were sitting. The flamen listened at- 
tentively to the remarks of his superior. 

" By the Immortals, we need not de- 
spair, Coecus guiding us ! " he exclaimed ; 
*' whatever he proposes, he may depend on 
our carrying out to the letter/' 

"Then listen, Flaccus," said Gaius; "we 
can no longer hide from the people the 
progress made by the new faith, or that it 



84 Jovinian. 

is patronised by the emperor ; but we may 
persuade them that the gods are grieved at 
the abandonment of their ancient worship ; 
cr should a pestilence occur, or an earth- 
quake, or a storm of unusual violence, we 
may easily make them believe that the in- 
fliction has been sent as a punishment for 
their infidelity. Would that such would 
occur! it would help us greatly in our 
object. In the meantime, we can employ 
such means as are at our disposal. It 
would be well if we could make all the 
statues of the gods in Rome weep together, 
or roll their eyes, or groan in concert." 

" The thought is a bright one," answered 
Flaccus ; " by means of arrangements in 
the interior of our statue we can reach the 
head, and, through the two small holes in 
the corners of the eyes press forth from a 
sponge a rivulet of water, if we so wish. I 
will then, from before the altar, announce 
the cause of the great Apollo's grief, and 
urge his votaries to renewed devotion, and 
to withstand the pernicious teachings of 
the Christians." 

*' The temple is already well filled, and 



A Debate. 85 

the sooner we play the I mean, the 

sooner the miracle is performed the better, 
for delays are dangerous/* said Gaius« 

"We might perform it at once/' an- 
swered Flaccus ; " but we require a boy of 
small size who can climb up into the head 
of the statue ; and my own son, whom I 
can trust, is sick at home. The youth 
yonder, however, though somewhat big, 
might manage to climb up without much 
difficulty/' As he spoke he looked 
towards Jovinian. "You can confide in 
him that he will not betray us ? " 

" I am not certain on that point," an- 
swered Gaius ; and calling to his nephew 
he desired him to swear that he would not 
reveal what he was about to communicate. 

" If lawful, I am ready to do whatever 
you desire/' answered Jovinian. 

" Can it be otherwise, foolish boy, when 
I wish it } " exclaimed Gaius. " Know you 
not that I have the power to force you to 
do whatever I may require ? " 

"I will, at all events, promise not to 
repeat whatever you may think fit to say 
to me," said Jovinian. 



86 yavinian. 

" I wish you, then, simply to play off a 
trick upon the ignorant people collected in 
the temple,** said Gaius. "See here : all you 
have to do is to climb into the head of the 
statue through the trap which the flamen 
Licinius Flaccus will show you, and to 
press a sponge into the hollows of the eyes 
till you have emptied the amphora which 
you will take up with you. Be not 
startled if you hear some deep groans 
close to your ears ; they will be uttered by 
the flamens, and will serve to give more 
effect to the flowing of the tears." 

"Pardon me, but I cannot take part 
in such a device," answered Jovinian. " I 
have given my promise not to repeat what 
you have told me; but obey you in this 
matter I cannot." 

Gaius, whose aim was to gain the affec- 
tions of his nephew, restrained his rising 
anger, and turning to the flamen, observed, 
" Vou must find some other boy of smaller 
size, for my nephew is, I suspect, too big 
properly to perform the task." 

" I am unwilling to lose this opportunity 
of working on the minds of the people," 



A Debate. 87 

answered Flaccus ; " I will, therefore, send 
for my son, or some other boy who can be'^ 
trusted." 

He immediately went out. While he 
was absent. Gains lectured his nephew ; 
but Jovinian was firm, and even ventured 
to expostulate on. the subject with Gaius, 
who, however, only laughed at him for his 
folly, as he called it. In a short time the 
flamen returned, bringing a short and 
slight lad, who was directed what to do. 
Two of the flamens remained behind, while 
the rest entered the temple. The boy was 
led to a trap-door at the back of the altar, 
while two fiamens mounted to a gallery 
level with the head of the statue. Pre- 
sently groans were heard, so deep and 
mournful that it seemed scarcely possible 
they could be uttered by a human being, 
while cries and shouts arose from the 
temple, and the words which reached 
Jovinian's ears were, "The great god is 
weeping I Apollo mourns ! Woe, woe to 
Rome ! " 

He was thankful when at length Gaius, 
taking his hand, led him from the temple. 



88 jfovinian. 

On their way through the streets they 
heard people talking of the wonderful 
miracle which had just been witnessed in 
the temple of Apollo. 

" The god sheds tears at the thoughts of 
being driven ignominiously from the city 
where he has so long dwelt!'' exclaimed 
some. "Did you hear how he groaned.? 
Fearful ! Wliat will next happen ? It is a 
wonder the great Jove and all the gods did 
not descend from their pedestals and drive 
these Nazarene infidels into the Tiber." 

" It would be a worthy deed, and well- 
pleasing to the Immortals, if you, who 
carry weapons, were to attack the wretches, 
and treat them as they deserve," whispered 
Gaius to the crowd of idolaters among 
whom he was making his way. Just then 
a line of twelve lictors appeared carrying 
the fasces, making way for one of the 
consuls, who walked along with dignified 
pace on some official business. 

"Silly people!" he remarked, as he 
heard the exclamations of the crowd; 
" you will, ere long, see the statues of the 
Nazarene saints weeping if you obstinately 



A Debate. 89 

refuse to follow the faith our august em- 
peror has adopted." 

He smiled as he saluted Gaius^ and their 
eyes met; but the presence of the lictors 
restrained them, and they separated, going 
towards their respective homes. Gains 
did not speak a word to Jovinian till they 
reached the college. " Go to your room : I 
will follow you there," said the pontiff to 
his nephew, in a sterner tone than he was 
wont to use. Jovinian was prepared for a 
severe lecture. He prayed that he might 
have grace to act consistently with his 
profession. In a short time Gains appeared, 
and having ordered Eros, who was at his 
post, to retire, he threw himself on the 
couch by the table on which Jovinian's 
books were placed. 

/'Of what folly have you been guilty!" 
he exclaimed ; " what induced you to re- 
fuse to take part in a harmless deceit, such 
as has been frequently practised on occa- 
sions of necessity, when it has been im- 
portant to awaken the slumbering faith of 
the votaries of the gods } Know you not 
that it is one of our chief maxims that 



90 yovinian. 

deceit of any sort is lawful when the result 
is likely to prove beneficial, and that evil 
may be done provided a good object is to 
be attained ? You have been miserably 
taught if you do not understand this." 

" According to the precepts of the faith 
I hold, no deception can be practised and 
no evil done without offending a pure and 
a holy God, who looks upon all deceit as 
sinful, and cannot sanction the slightest 
approach to sin," answered Jovinian, boldly. 
I could not, without offending Him whom 
I serve, have assisted in the imposture 
practised on the ignorant multitude. I 
promised not to speak of what I heard, 
or I would tell the people of the trick 
played upon them, and thus win them to 
the worship of the one true God." 

" What is this I hear ?'' exclaimed Gaius ; 
" I had hopes that you had been weaned 
from your folly, and would have been ready 
to follow the career I have marked out for 
you. Should I disown you and turn you 
out into the world, by what means can you 
support your miserable existence .''*" 

"The Lord I desire to serve cares for 



A Debate. 91 

those who love Him," answered Jovinian, 
without hesitation. *'I have no fear of 
what man can do to me. I speak with no 
disrespect to you, my uncle — I am ready 
to obey you in all things lawful." 

"You are a foolish and obstinate boy," 
exclaimed Gaius. I will, however, give 
you a further trial. Only do as I desire, 
and you may retain your Christian faith; 
but if you thwart my plans, I must use 
sterner measures than I have hitherto 
adopted. Perhaps ere long you will dis- 
cover that I am not so much opposed to 
the faith of the Nazarenes as you now 
fancy." 

Gaius rose, and leaving Jovinian to reflect 
on what he had said, returned to the hall, 
where the other pontiffs were assembled to 
discuss the subject which now occupied all 
their thoughts. 



«]6f8^ vii. 

THE ESCAPE. 

JOVINIAN'S position became exces- 
sively trying. He was more strictly 
watched than before ; it was evident that 
Gaius had lost all confidence in him. Still 
he did not abandon the hope of escaping ; 
he did not wish to commit Eros, who, should 
he connive at his escape, would be severely 
punished ; he had, however, hopes that the 
mind of the Numidian was gradually open- 
ing to spiritual truth. Whenever Gaius 
was abroad, and Eros had no fear of being 
interrupted, he entered Jovinian's room, 
and begged him to read from the wonderful , 
book he possesed. This Jovinian gladly 
did, and the humble slave gradually began 
to comprehend the [faith which his proud . 
master rejected. Though Jovinian was 
convinced that Eros had become a true 



The Escape. 93 

< 

Christian, yet still he would not tempt him 
to assist in his escape. Eros had early 
become interested in his young captive ; 
he was now deeply attached to him. He 
observed with an eye of affection that the 
confinement to which he was subjected 
was injuring his health. " He requires fresh 
air and exercise, and the society of those 
of like mind," Eros said to himself. "I 
must persuade the pontiff to let him go out 
as before, or, if my petition is refused, I 
will run all risks, and give him his liberty. 
He has not asked me to set him free, because 
he believes I should be the sufferer ; but, as 
he has given me the greatest blessing I can 
enjoy on earth, I am bound, in gratitude, 
to enable him to do what his heart desires." 

With these thoughts in his mind, Eros 
went to* his master, and strongly urged that, 
unless the young Jovinian were allowed to 
go out and breathe the pure air, he would 
fall sick, and very likely die. His request 
was granted much more easily than he had 
expected. 

" Tak'e him forth, then," answered Gaius ; 
" but beware, slave, lest the youth escape 



94 yovinian. 

your vigilance ; you will be answerable with 
your life for his safe custody.^' 

" The life of the slave is in the hands of 
his master/' answered Eros. "The air is 
fresh and cool ; a walk into the country will 
restore vigour to his limbs and the colour 
to his pale cheek." 

"See to it, and let me hear a better 
account of him/' observed the pontiff, as 
the slave left his presence. 

"Joyful news I bring! " said Eros, as he 
entered the chamber; "we may set off 
without delay. Let me advise you not to 
leave your gospel behind, nor any article 
that you value." 

Jovinian did not enquire why Eros gave 
this advice, but gladly accompanied the 
slave into the open air. 

"In what direction shall we go?" he asked. 

" We will take the' way at the foot of the 
Palatine, and along the banks of the Tiber/' 
answered Eros ; " then round by the Aven- 
tine hill, and return home by the Flavian 
amphitheatre/' 

" TJiat seems a somewhat long circuit to 
make/' replied Jovinian. 



The Escape. 95 

" The fresh air will enable you to enjoy 
it, and possibly you may be induced to 
prolong your walk," replied the Numidian, 

Every step they took Jovinian felt in- 
clined to proceed farther and farther. In- 
stead, however, of following the road along 
the bank of the river, Eros turned off to 
the left, and passing through the nearest 
gate of the city, struck directly across 
the country. They had gone on for some 
distance, when a female was seen approach- 
ing them. She stopped as she observed 
Jovinian. " Surely I know you ! " she ex- 
claimed, taking his hands, " though grown 
so much and become so manly. Have you 
forgotten Rufina ? " 

" No, indeed ! never can I forget one who 
was ever so faithful to my beloved mother," 
answered Jovinian : " but how happens it 
that we have thus met V 

*' I have long been watching for you," 
answered Rufina, in a low voice, drawing 
Jovinian aside. " There are some friends 
not far off who greatly desire to embrace 
you-^one especially, by whom your mother 
Livia was greatly beloved : Eugenia, now 



q6 yovinian. 

the wife of the presbyter Severus — and 
should you desire to escape from the 
thraldom in which you are held, they will 
afford you a secure asylum where the pon- 
tiff Gaius can never find you. Fear not," 
she added, as she observed Jovinian glance 
towards Eros ; " the Numidian will not 
stop you. I have communicated with him, 
and promised to secure his safety. Though 
he may not accompany you, he can no 
longer willingly serve a heathen master, 
and the price of his freedom has been 
provided." 

"Can you assure me of this!^" asked 
Jovinian. " Much as I desire to obtain my 
liberty, I would not risk the safety of Eros, 
now that he is a Christian ; and terrible 
would be his punishment were Gaius to 
discover that he had willingly allowed me 
to escape." 

"I will speak to him, and his answer 
shall convince you that I am not mistaken," 
said Rufina ; and, iadvancing towards Eros, 
she told him what Jovinian had said, 
adding, " I will now bid you farewell." 

" I desire not to impede you from going 



The Escape. , 97 

whithersoever you wish, though grieved 
that I may not accompany you," said Eros. 
'* My prayer is that we shall soon meet 
again, and that I may serve you as a freed- 
man; and I rejoice to know that no longer 
as a slave shall I be compelled to act 
the guard and spy 'upon you. Farewell, 
Jovinian : Rufina forbids me to follow 
your footsteps, or I would thankfully 
accompany you. But do not be alarmed 
about my safety; she has provided a 
refuge where I can remain concealed, for 
I would avoid the enmity of Gaius, — he is 
aware that I know too many of the secrets 
of the college to allow me to retain my 
liberty, or even my life, could he get me 
into his power." 

Jovinian, satisfied on hearing that Eros 
was cared for, followed Rufina, who hastily 
led him along over the uncultivated country, 
which even in her palmiest days sur-^ 
rounded the city, till they reached one of 
the entrances to those subterranean laby- 
rinths which have already been described. 
Jovinian followed her without hesitation ; 
he had been well acquainted with them in 

7 



9 8 y ovinia ft. 

his younger days, when he had dwelt in 
concealment with his mother and many 
other Christians. A well-trimmed lamp, 
which Rufina found within, enabled her to 
guide him through the intricate turnings of 
the labyrinth. Although several years had 
elapsed since he had entered them, he 
recognised, as they went along, many of 
the tombs of those who had departed in 
the faith. She stopped suddenly before 
one of them ; he read the inscription on it. 
" Livia, the well-beloved ! She rests in 
Christ." The symbol above it was a doVe, 
with an anchor carved on its breast. He 
gazed at it earnestly, and knew at once 
that it indicated his mother's tomb. 

" They brought her here to rest in peace, 
as she desired. And may I ever possess 
that sure and certain hope, the anchor of 
the soul, which enabled her to endure 
without wavering the storms and trials of 
life," he mused. 

Rufina stopped to throw a light on the 
slab, unwilling to interrupt his meditations, 
and remained without speaking. At length 
she observed, " We must hurry on, or the 



The Escape. 99 

oil in the lamp may be exhausted before 
we reach our destination," 

They continued their course, proceeding 
along several galleries, — now descending 
some flights of steps, now ascending others, 
— till they reached a slab of stone, which 
resembled many they had passed, let into 
the wall, with rude inscriptions on them. 
Rufina knocked three times on the slab 
with a small mallet which she carried in 
her basket. Placing her ear against the 
slab, she listened, when, in the course of a 
few minutes, she heard the sound of a bolt 
being withdrawn, and the stone sJowly 
swung back, allowing an opening suffi- 
ciently large for a person to pass through. 
Rufina taking the hand of her young 
companion, they entered, when the slab 
was immediately closed behind them. So 
rapid had been their movements, that to 
any one following them they would seem 
to have vanished. The janitor, a humble 
fossor, after saluting Rufina as a sister, led 
them on to the end of a long passage, 
when another door, of a similar character 
to the first, being opened for them to- pass 



lOO yovinian. 

through, they found themselves, after ad- 
vancing a short distance further, at the 
entrance of a small hall, from the roof of 
which hung a silver lamp, its rays casting 
a pale light on several persons assembled 
within. Jovinian hung back, not recog- 
nising those he saw before him ; but no 
sooner had Rufina stated who he was 
than he heard himself greeted by friendly 
voices. 

"Welcome, son of our well-beloved : thou 
hast been faithful as she was!" said the 
aged Gentianus, who was seated at a 
table in the centre of the hall. He drew 
Jovinian towards him, and placing his 
hand on the lad's head, gazed into his face 
as he spoke. " We indeed rejoice that you 
have escaped from the power of the pontiff 
Gaius, and still more that you have re- 
sisted the temptations he offered you to 
depart from the faith. May the Holy 
Spirit ever strengthen and support you in 
the fiery trials you may be called on to go 
through. The mystery of iniquity doth 
already work, and who shall escape its 
toils } Those alone who cling fast to 



The Escape. loi 

Christ. May you be among them, my 
son ! " 

Much more to the same effect was said 
by the patrician Gentianus, when his 
daughter Eugenia, and her husband Seve- 
rus, advancing, welcomed Jovinian, His 
mother's dearest friend was well disposed 
to treat him with affection. By her side 
was a young girl — her daughter Julia« 
As the maiden took his hand, Jovinian 
gazed at her with admiration. Her lovely 
features beamed with intelligence, and 
the light of Christian virtue. Firm in the 
faith, had the days of persecution returned 
she would have been ready to suffer 
martyrdom rather than renounce the 
Saviour who had bought her. Since their 
childhood Jovinian and Julia had not met, 
for Gentianus and his household had re- 
sided far away to the south, on the sunny 
slopes of the Apennines, where he .and 
Severus had devoted themselves to the 
spreading of the truth among their heathen 
neighbours of all ranks. They had lately 
returned, called by important business, 
both secular and on matters relating to 



I02 Jovinian. 

the Church ; but, warned of the undying 
hostility of Ccecus the pontiff, they had 
judged it prudent to take up their residence 
in their former abode, whence, undiscovered, 
they could communicate freely with their 
friends in the city, and afford an asylum 
to those Christian converts who might be 
compelled to escape from the malice of 
their idolatrous relatives. There was per^ 
secution even in those days; for though 
heathenism, as a system, was crumbling 
away, and few of the better educated or 
wealthy believed in the myths of the gods 
of Olympus, yet many clung to the ancient 
faith, or rather to its form, simply because 
it was ancient, and their ancestors were 
supposed to have believed in it These 
persons in most instances treated with 
supreme contempt, and often with great 
cruelty, any of their relatives or depend- 
ents who openly professed a belief in 
Christ, refusing to have any transactions 
with them, and endeavouring to ruin or 
drive them into exile. Still more terrible 
were the penalties inflicted by the sacer- 
dotal orders on any of their number who, 



The Escape. 103 

abandoning idolatry, embraced the truth. 
If unable to escape from Rome, the dagger 
or poison too generally overtook them. 
Their safest place of refuge was in the 
subterranean galleries in which Jovinian 
now found himself. Thus it happened that 
he met numerous visitors at the abode of 
Gentianus. He had been conversing with 
his old friends, when he saw emerging into 
the light a lady of radiant beauty, habited 
in white, without the slightest ornament on 
her dress or head, a purple band round her 
forehead confining her close-cut hair. A 
second glance convinced him that he had 
seen her before, seated, in a silver chariot 
on the day of the procession. 

" Who is she .^" he asked of Julia. 

" She is the vestal Marcia," was the 
answer. " Already the light of truth has 
entered the dark recesses of the temple; 
Marcia has received it, and would escape 
from the thraldom in which she is held, but 
that she has a young sister, Ccelia, also a 
vestal, who is yet undecided. Coelia has 
heard the Gospel, and imbibed many of its 
truths, but the shackles of superstition are 



104 yovtnian. 

still around her ; and while she dreads the 
malignity of Coecus should he discover that 
her faith in the false goddess has been 
shaken, she cannot resolve on flight. 
Marcia has come to seek 'counsel of 
Gentianus on the matter." 

"Surely he will advise her to urge her 
sister no longer to delay ! " urged Jovinian. 
"Would that I could tell her all that I 
know of that fearful man ! He will hesi- 
tate at no deed, however dark, so that he 
may attain his ends." 

Taking Jovinian's hand, Julia, rapid in 
all her actions, made him known to Marcia. 
He, being under no vow of secresy with 
regard to the aims of the pontiffs, briefly 
explained them to her. 

"And are such the men who have so 
long directed the rites and ceremonies of 
the time-honoured religion of Rome ! " she 
exclaimed. " Alas ! how have we been 
duped. They themselves^ do not even 
believe in the false gods they pretend to 
worship." 

" Not only have they long held sway 
over the religious affairs of idolatrous 



The Escape. 105 

Rome, but will continue to lead and 
govern in our future Rome, unless her sons 
and daughters adhere to the simple truths 
of our holy faith as taught by the apostles 
in the blessed Gospel,*' said Gentianus, 
solemnly. 

These words sank deeply into Jovinian's 
mind. He never forgot them. 

The vestal Marcia, having a dark robe 
thrown over her white dress, conducted by 
the guide — a Christian slave like Rufina, 
who had brought her to the abode of 
Gentianus — returned to the temple of 
Vesta. 



C&aiete VIIL 

RELICS. 

SEVERAL days passed by. The small 
company in this remote portion of 
those vast galleries waited anxiously for 
news from the upper world. They had 
themselves no fear of discovery ; for trea- 
chery alone, which they had no cause to 
dread, could betray their retreat. Other 
parts, however, of that underground laby- 
rinth were frequently visited by large num- 
bers of Christians from the city; and that he 
might converse with them, Severus, accom- 
panied by Jovinian, guided by an aged 
fossor, traversed the galleries in various 
directions. What he saw and heard caused 
him deep grief as he passed by the groups 
he here and there found assembled. Some 
had come to visit the tombs of relatives 
or friends slain during the Diocletian per- 



Relics. 1 07 

Secutions, or who had died in later days. 
They were standing with arms outstretched, 
and open palms. Several were praying 
aloud. Severus stopped to listen. 

" Cease, friend, cease, I entreat you ! " 
he exclaimed. " Is it possible that you, a 
Christian, can be addressing the spirit of 
a departed brother } Have you so learned 
Christ } Know you not that His ear is 
ever open to our prayers ; that His heart 
beats in sympathy with all in distress ; and 
that you are dishonouring Him by attempt- 
ing to employ any other mediator between 
God the Father and ourselves^ than our one 
sole great High-priest, the risen Saviour of 
the world 1 " 

Some to whom Severus spoke stared 
without answering ; others defended the 
practice, which had lately, copied from the 
heathens, been creeping in among pro- 
fessing Christians ; a few only listened 
respectfully to the arguments the presbyter 
brought against it. 

Severus and his companions passed on 
till they reached some vaults, or rather 
enlargements of the galleries. Here nume- 



lo8 yovintan. 

rous persons were assembled, employed 
in eating and drinking before the tombs 
contained within the walls. They were 
holding lovefeasts in commemoration of 
their departed friends ; but already the 
simplicity of the custom had been changed, 
as was shown by the flushed brows of 
several of the revellers ; while some, more 
abstemious, were kneeling or prostrate on 
the ground, offering up prayers to the 
dead martyrs. 

Severus, before passing on, warned them 
of their sin and folly. " O foolish people, 
whence have you derived these revellings, 
this custom of praying to the dead ? Surely 
from the idolaters by whom you are sur- 
rounded ! " he exclaimed. " Instead of being 
lights shining in the midst of a dark world, 
you have become as the blind leaders of the 
blind. Beware, lest the light you have be 
altogether taken away ! " 

Guided by the aged fossor, he and his 
companions made their way to those parts 
where in the days of the earlier persecutions 
the bodies of the few martyrs which had 
been rescued by their friends had been 



Relics. \ 09 

deposited. Great was the astonishment of 
Severus to find several persons with pick- 
axes and spades engaged in breaking open 
the tombs, and placing the mouldering re- 
mains in metal and wooden boxes. 

" Why are you thus disturbing the bodies 
of the departed saints ? " he exclaimed, as 
he stopped among them. " Could you not 
allow them to rest till summoned to rise by 
the trump of the archangel 1 Whither are 
you about to convey them ? How do you 
intend to dispose of them ? " 

No one at first replied to those questions. 

At length one, who appeared to be a 
deacon or exorcist, advancing, answered, 
" We have been assured that the bones of 
martyrs can cure diseases of all sorts, and 
work many other miracles ; and as few can 
come here to benefit by them, we are about 
to convey the sacred relics to shrines where 
all may visit them; and some we would send 
to foreign lands, where they may assist in 
spreading the blessed Gospel." 

" Say rather, O foolish men, where they 
may tend to confirm the heathen in their 
ignorance. The very idea is taken from 



no yovinian. 

the idolaters, who worship blocks and stones, 
or any objects presented to them by their 
false priests. Could, even in their lifetime, 
these departed saints have cured any of the 
maladies which flesh is heir to ? Then much 
less can their poor rotting bones, which ere 
long will be dust. With which of those 
bones, with which of those particles of dust, 
will their spirits be pleased to dwell, in order 
to impart such healing power ? Oh, folly 
unspeakable ! to think that the saints of 
God have further concern with the frail 
tenement they have shaken off! They are 
with Christ, to whom alone let me urge you 
to address your prayers. His arm is not 
shortened; His love is not lessened. As 
He healed the sick when He walked on 
earth, so can He cure if He thinks fit those 
who apply to Him." 

Much more Severus said ; and he was 
continuing to address the people, some of 
whom were moved by his arguments, when 
a cry was raised that soldiers were in the 
galleries. Presently the ruddy glare of 
torches was seen in the far distance. 

" Hasten this way," cried the fossor, who 



Relics. Ill 

suspected that, whatever the object of the 
soldiers' visit, those he had in charge might 
be placed in danger. Severus and Jovinian 
followed him, as he rapidly retreated in a 
direction opposite to that in which the lights 
were seen. Loud shouts were heard echoing 
through the galleries. It was evident that 
the soldiers were in pursuit of some one. 
The sounds drew nearer. The fossor ran 
as fast as his aged limbs would allow; his 
companions supporting him. Numerous 
long passages were traversed. 

"The soldiers have a guide with them, 
or they would not venture thus far," said 
the fossor; "but we may still escape them." 

As he spoke . he led the way through 
a narrow opening. Severus followed ; 
Jovinian was about to do so, but he turned 
for a moment to ascertain the distance their 
pursuers still were from them. He then 
passed through the opening, but the light 
from the fossor's lantern was not visible. 
He feared to cry out, lest his voice might 
betray him. He groped his way forward 
with outstretched arras. He felt convinced 
that of two passages he had taken the wrong 



f 

112 Jovinian. 

one. He turned to retrace his steps. In 
a few seconds a bright light flashed in his 
eyes, and he found himself in the hands 
of several Roman soldiers, who roughly- 
demanded what had become of his com- 
panions. 

« « « « « 

When Jovinian and Eros made their 
escape from the college Gaius was absent, 
and was not expected to return till the 
next morning. Of this the Numidian was 
aware, and had taken advantage of the 
occasion. 

On the return of the pontiff, somewhat 
later in the day than usual, when he in- 
quired for his nephew, he was told by a 
slave, afraid of speaking the truth, that 
Jovinian had gone forth to walk with Eros, 
and had not yet come back. Supposing 
that they had simply taken advantage of 
the permission he had granted, he took no 
further trouble about the matter, but, throw- 
ing himself on a couch, called for a cup of 
Falernian to quench his thirst. He was 
about to order a second when Coecus 
entered. A frown was on his brow, and his 



Relics. 113 

countenance ^ore a moody aspect. He sat 
down opposite to Gaius, who, looking up,' 
observed, "If aught troubles you, follow 
my example, and quaff a cup or two of 
this generous wine. Nothing so effectually 
dissipates the mists which are apt to gather 
at times round our brains and obscure the 
vision.'* 

Coecus turned his eyes away with an 
expression of contempt from his convivial 
companion, and muttered- something in- 
audible. " I have ample cause for anger 
and annoyance," he said, at length. "What 
think you.^ This pestiferous doctrine of 
the Nazarenes has found its way even 
into the temple of Vesta. On entering 
unexpectedly, as it proved, to visit our 
fair charges, I found the vestal Ccelia, who 
ought to have been attending to the sacred 
fire, so absorbed in reading a book that 
the flames were almost extinguished. She 
started on seeing me, and endeavoured to 
conceal the roll ; but I snatched it from her, 
and as I glanced my eye over the pages, 
great was n^ astonishment and indignation 
to discover that it was not the production of 

8 



114 Jovinian. 

one of our poets, which I might have par- 
doned her for reading, but a portion of what 
the Nazarenes call their Scriptures ! I cast 
it on the altar, and, as it was consuming, 
• I watched the expression of grief which 
overspread her countenance, as if she were 
beholding the destruction of some precious 
object. I demanded whence she had ob- 
tained the roll, but she stubbornly refused 
to inform me. I threatened her with con- 
dign punishment ; but, folding her arms on 
her bosom, she claimed her right as a Roman 
maiden to peruse a work approved of by- 
Augustus. ' As a vestal, sworn to obey the 
rules of your order, you have no right to 
read what may shake your confidence in 
the great goddess to whom your life is 
dedicated,' I answered. Much more I said, 
using persuasions and threats to learn how 
she had obtained the roll, and whether 
others iii the temple had imbibed any of 
these Christian doctrines. Vain, however, 
were all my efforts. I did not expect to 
fi^d one so young and gentle so determined. 
I reminded her that she might be, con- 
demned for breaking her vows, and of the 



Relics. 115 

fearful puc^ishment which would follow. 
She smiled, as if she dared my power. 
While we were speaking the sacred fire 
went out. She seemed in no way appalled, 
but handing me two pieces of wood from a 
felix arbor, suggested that I should at onc(S 
re-light it. As in duty bound I should 
have scourged her for her neglect, but her 
youth and beauty forbade such a proceed- 
ing, especially as I had been partly the 
cause of the catastrophe. I followed her 
advice, and the flame soon burned up again 
brightly. Reminding her of the double 
punishment she had incurred, I sent another 
vestal to take her place, and delivered her 
over to the charge of the Vestalis Maxima, 
with strict injunctions to the venerable 
dame to keep a strict watch over her move- 
ments, and to report to me all she says, 
and with whom she holds communication. 
We must afford her liberty, or it will be 
difficult to convict her. It is a question 
for consideration whether we should assert 
the supremacy of our ancient laws, and 
make an example of the vestal Ccelia — 
there will be no difficulty in proving that 



1 1 6 Jwinian. 

she has broken her vows — or whether the 
time has arrived for assuming the masks 
we have designed, and at once declaring 
ourselves convinced of the truth of the 
Christian doctrine. 

'' I dread the task we should impose on 
ourselves if we turn Christians, and would 
therefore defer the day as long as possible/' 
answered Gaius» stretching himself on his 
couch. 

" In that case the vestal Coelia must die/' 
said Coecus, in a calm tone. " We can have 
no half measures. If we do not swim with 
the tide, we must stamp out this creed at 



once." 



" No easy matter, considering, as I under- 
stand, that it has existed well-nigh three 
hundred years, in spite of all the efforts 
made to destroy it, since a certain Paul, a 
man of no mean ability, visited our city on 
several occasions," observed Gaius. "Had 
our fathers known in those days to what 
this doctrine was tending, they would have 
nipped it in the bud, and we should have 
been saved a vast amount of trouble." 

" It is useless regretting the past," said ' 



Relics. 117 

Coecus ; " we must keep our eyes steadily 
fixed on the future. But, I repeat, that I 
have no hope of destroying the name of 
Christian." 



Cl^agttr IX. 

THE CAPTURED RESCUED. 

CCECUS, finding that his companion 
had fallen asleep, set himself to con- 
sider his plans with regard to the hapless 
Coelia. He held to the opinions put forth 
by some of the leading heathen philoso- 
phers of that age, that the end justifies the 
means, and no feeling of compunction as 
to the cruel fate he designed for the young 
vestal entered his heart. He was of the 
material of which arch-inquisitors were in 
after years to be made. There would be 
no difficulty in that corrupt city to obtain 
evidence to condemn his victim, as well as 
to prove that the partner of her supposed 
guilt had escaped. After resting for some 
time, he went forth again to make the 
arrangements he had determined on. 
When, late in the day, Gains awoke, he 



The Captured Rescued. 119 

sent for his nephew, and, after some inquiries^ 
discovered that Jovinian and Eros had been 
absent since the previous forenoon. At 
first he could not bring himself to believe 
that they had really escaped ; but his in- 
quiries at length convinced him of the fact, 
and, moreover, that Eros had been known 
to accompany Jovinian to some of the 
Christian places of worship. "Then the 
wretched slave has himself been led to 
embrace this new doctrine," he exclaimed. 
"It may be suited to such as he; but, 
notwithstanding, if I can capture him, he 
shall be made to pay the full penalty of 
his crime," 

The pontiff was, in truth, as much an- 
noyed as if^vas in his nature to be; but he 
was disposed to vent his anger on the head 
of Eros rather than on that of his nephew. 

Several days passed by, and no informa- 
tion could he obtain as to where the fugi- 
tives were concealed. From a few words 
let drop by Coccus, he at length began to 
hope that he might recover Jovinian. The 
chief pontiff had heard that the man he 
hated above all others on earth — ^the pres- 



lio yavmian. 

by ter Severus — ^was again in the neighbour- 
hood of Rome; and from the friendship 
which had existed between his sister and 
Eugenia, he suspected that Jovinian, if he 
knew of her abode, would have gone there. 
What Coecus intended to do he did hot say, 
but the muttered threats of vengeance in 
which he indulged showed the evil feelings 
rankling in his bosom. Assassins were to 
be found, even in those days, to perform 
any deed of blood required of them ; vice 
was rampant ; and crimes of all sorts were 
committed with comparative impunity. But 
Rome even thus was purer than it became 
in after ages ; the people had been taught 
to respect the laws, criminals did not 
always escape the arm of justice, and 
no inconsiderable Christian community, 
leading pure and faultless lives, leavened 
the mass, and contributed to keep the 
heathen in check. 

Coecus had to proceed with more caution 
than suited his bold and impulsive character. 
He succeeded, however, in persuading the 
chief civil authorities that there were some 
persons with designs dangerous to the state 



The Captured Rescued. 121 

concealed in the underground galleries 
in the neighbourhood of the city, and in 
obtaining a guard of soldiers to search for 
them. He, with some difficulty, obtained 
a guide who professed to be acquainted 
with all the intricate turnings of the gal- 
leries, and, moreover, to know Severus and 
Eugenia by sight. Coecus, who was well 
aware that considerable danger might attend 
the expedition, had no intention of accom- 
panying it, but remained in Rome, indulg- 
ing himself in the hope that he should at 
length destroy his old rival, or get him 
into his power, while he at the same time 
exulted in the idea that, from the measures 
he was taking, he should prolong the exist- 
ence of idolatry as the religion of the state. 
One of his plans was to organise another 
procession in honour of one of the gods, 
similar to that which has been described ; 
for such spectacles, he knew, were at all 
times attractive to the populace, and it 
mattered little to them whether Bacchus, 
Apollo, Venus, or any other divinity had 
the most prominent position in the exhibi- 
tion. 



122 yovintan. 

He had given directions to the vestals to 
prepare for the ceremony, in which, as usual, 
they would be expected to take a leading 
part ; and he guessed that, should any 
besides Coelia be tainted with the new 
doctrines, they would endeavour to escape 
appearing on the occasion. Coelia herself 
remained under the strict charge of the 
Vestalis Maxima, whose office was in later 
days to be represented by that of the 
mother superior of a nunnery. The ^ 
Vestalis Fausta being long past her prime, 
and having spent her life within the walls 
of the temple, had no interests beyond 
them. Her temper had become soured, 
her better feelings seared ; and being thus 
a willing instrument in the hands of the 
pontiffs, she was ready to execute any act 
of tyranny ai^d cruelty they might direct. 
Her mind, narrowed by the dull routine of 
duties she had so long performed, she was ' 
a devout worshipper of the goddess she 
served; and she heard with the utmost 
horror and dismay that one of those under 
her charge had embraced the hated doc- 
trines of those whom she called the atheist 



The Captured Rescued. 123 

Nazarenes. Poor Coelia had no hope of 
mercy from such a person. Marcia, finding 
that she herself was not suspected, kept 
her own counsel, determined at all costs to 
rescue her friend. It was a sore trial to 
her, for she felt herself guilty of dishonour- 
ing Christ while continuing to serve in the 
temple of a false deity. 

The pontiffs, meantime, were busily en- 
gaged in arranging the details of the pro- 
cession. Gains troubled himself less than 
the other pontiffs about the matter. He 
especially disliked the exertion of the long 
march through the city, and he doubted 
whether the result would be as satisfactory 
as Ccecus anticipated. He was seated in 
the college, when it was announced that 
a female slave desired to see him. He 
directed that she should be admitted, when 
Rufina entered. Taking a bag of coin 
from under her cloak, she, without hesita- 
tion advanced to where he sat. 

'* I have come to bring the price of one 
who was your slave, but desires manu- 
mission," she said calmly, offering the bag 
of money to the pontiff. " It contains 



1 24 ^omnian. 

thirty solidi, the full value you can claim 
for Eros, he of whom I speak," she con- 
tinued, seeing that Gaius did not put forth 
his hand to receive the bag. " He might 
have escaped beyond pursuit, and allowed 
you to lose his value, but, as a Christian, 
he knows that such would be wrong, and 
therefore I have been sent to pay it into 
your hands." 

*^ The Numidian Eros a Christian ! such 
an idea is folly ! " exclaimed Gaius^ starting 
up with more animation in his tone and 
manner than he had hitherto shown. '* If 
he is a Christian, he thus only adds to 
his crime. The money he must have 
stolen — ^probably from me ; I refuse, how- 
ever, to receive it. Let him return to the 
bondage from which he has escaped, or if I 
discover him he will rue the consequences. 
And for yourself, girl, as you have ventured 
in here, unless you inform me where he is 
hidden, and will promise to assist in his 
recovery, I will detain you and punish you 
as you deserve with the scourge." 

^'I came to do the bidding of my master; 
and should any harm befall me, there is 




The Captured Rescued. 125 

one to whom he will appeal for justice — 
the emperor," answered Rufina, without 
betraying the slightest fear. "You dare 
not detain me. Again I offer the value of 
your once slave, and, though you refuse, I 
have fulfilled my duty, and must be gone." 

Gaius was almost speechless at what he 
considered the unexampled audacity of the 
slave girl ; and as he still refused to tak« 
the bag, Rufina, while he was considering 
what to do, turned, and left the hall. Before 
her figure had disappeared among the 
marble columns he started up, and summon- 
ing one of his attendants, often employed in 
secret matters, he directed him to follow 
Rufina, but to keep himself concealed, to 
obtain what assistance he might require^ 
and not to return without bringing back 
Eros and Jovinian as his captives. The 
slave, instantly comprehending what was 
required of him, started off to execute his 
master's orders. 

The pontiff sank dovm again upon his 
couch. " Though I have lost the solidi, I 
shall have the satisfaction of wreaking my 
vengeance on the head of the Numidian, — 



126 yovinian. 

and, what is of more consequence, shall 
recover my graceless nephew," he said to 
himself, stretching out his arms and giving 
a yawn. "Ungrateful as he has been, I 
will still afford him another chance." 

On the appearance of Coecus, Gaius 
told him of the hopes he entertained of 
recovering Jovinian and his runaway slave. 

"The vile wretch of whom you speak 
must receive the full penalty of his crime, 
or we shall have all tl^e slaves in Rome turn- 
ing Christians and claiming tneir freedom," 
observed Coecus. "As to your nephew, the 
bed of the Tiber will be the safest place to 
which you can consign hikii. The young 
atheist, with the early training he has re- 
ceived, will never become a trustworthy 
supporter of the ancient gods." 

"I will try him, notwithstanding," an- . 
swered Gaius; "but I have not caught 
him yet." 

Several more days passed by ; but 
neither Jovinian nor Eros had been cap- 
tured, and Gaius began to fear that he had 
lost his money and his revenge. 

The pontiffs had been seated in conclave. 



The Captured Rescued, 127 

and were on the point of separating, when 
a message was brought to Gaius. A gleam 
of satisfaction passed over his counte- 
nance. 

"Stay, fathers, for a few moments," he 
said. " A rascally slave who, forsooth, has 
taken it into his head to turn Christian, and 
to decamp, moreover, with my nephew, of 
whom he had charge, has been captured, 
I would question the vile wretch as to 
what has become of the youth ; and failing 
to draw forth the information, as I think 
likely, we will make some sport of the 
slave before he is sent off to receive the 
punishment he merits." 

The countenance of Coccus exhibited a 
look of disgust, as if he had no desire to be 
troubled in the matter; but three or four 
of the other pontiffs acquiescing, Gaius 
directed that the Numidian should be 
brought in. Eros soon appeared, heavily 
manacled, with a guard of four armed men, 
who watched narrowly every movement he 
made, and kept their weapons ready for 
use, as if they feared that even now he 
would endeavour to escape. 



128 Jovinian. 

The prisoner advanced with an un- 
daunted countenance, and head erect, as if 
perfectly fearless of the stem judges before 
whom he stood. In vain Gaius inquired 
what had become of Jovinian. Eros re- 
plied that he had parted from him outside 
the gates, that he had . gone with a friend, 
and that more about him he knew not. He 
acknowledged without hesitation that he 
had sinned against his master in allowing 
the youth committed to his charge to 
depart, and that he was ready to pay the 
penalty of his fault. "Wretched being! 
you have heaped crime upon crime," ex- 
claimed Gaius : " you have endeavoured to 
escape from slavery, you have disobeyed 
my commands, and, as I understand, deny 
the existence of the immortal gods, and, 
following the example of the impious 
Nazarenes, refuse to worship them." 

" I worship One who is willing and able 
to save me, who died that I might be set 
free, and who has forgiven me all my sins," 
answered the Numidian. 

"What blasphemy is this we hear!" 
exclaimed several of the pontiffs in chorus. 



The Captured Rescued. 129 

/'He does not deny his crime, and yet talks 
of his sins being forgiven. Away with 
him. Let the cross be his doom ! " 

Gaius, who had no wish to lose the 
services of a valuable slave, pleaded that a 
less severe doom than death would be suffi- 
cient, and suggested that instead he should 
be subjected to the ordinary punishment 
inflicted on runaway slaves — that of being 
hung up by the hands with weights 
attached to his feet, exposed to the noon- 
day sun till he should faint from exhaus- 
tion. The other pontiffs, however, were 
inexorable. The slave had been brought 
before them for trial, and his death alone 
would satisfy their cruelty. Perhaps they 
took a secret pleasure in annoying their 
brother pontiff. 

Coecus decided the matter, though he 
had apparently taken no interest in the 
discussion. "Let the wretch die the 
vilest of deaths. He has dishonoured the 
immortal gods ! " he muttered. *' It may 
advance our cause, as it will serve to bring 
into contempt the name of their founder,' 
when the Christians see a base slave suffer- 

9 



I30 yovinian. 

ing the death be was said to have 
endured." 

Short time was allowed to the Numidian 
to prepare for his doom. He was to suffer 
not as a martyr, but as a runaway slave. 
Strictly guarded all night, he passed it in 
prayer and in singing hymns to the Saviour 
he had so lately learned to love and trust. 
Early in the morning he was led forth to 
be conducted outside the city, bearing on 
his shoulders a heavy beam with a cross- 
piece attached, on which his arms were to 
be extended till death should put an end 
to his sufferings. 

As Eros, staggering under the heavy 
weight of the cross, proceeded through the 
streets of Rome, many there were who 
looked on with horror and dismay at the 
spectacle. Coecus, more thoughtful than 
Gaius, had provided a guard, for he well 
knew that the Christians were already 
sufficiently numerous and powerful to 
have effected a rescue should they have 
discovered that he was really suffering for 
holding to the faith of the Gospel. A 
crowd had collected, and was following, 



The Captured Rescued. 131 

composed chiefly of such idlers as are in- 
variably attracted by any spectacle, though 
it may even be to see a fellow-creature put 
to death. Gaius and some of the other 
pontiffs walked at some distance behind, 
the motives which induced them to come 
being in no way superior to that of the 
vulgar mass. The condemned slave and his 
guards had proceeded some distance, when 
a litter, preceded by a lictor, was seen 
approaching. It stopped, for the crowd 
was too dense to allow it to pass; Eros 
cast up his ^y^s, and met those of th^ 
vestal Marcia, horror-struck ' at what she 
saw. The love of life, the dread of the 
torture prepared for him, prompted the 
condemned slave. Throwing down his 
burden, before his guards could stop him, 
he sprang towards the litter, and, clasping 
the vestal's feet, claimed her protection, 

" It is given," she answered. '* Citizens 
of Rome, the right is mine, as you all 
know, to set this criminal free. Let no 
man lay hands on him." 

" He is free I he is free ! " shouted several 
persons from among the crowd. "The 



132 yovinian. 

ancient laws of Rome must be sup- 
ported." 

The guards and some others seemed 
unwilling to be disappointed of their prey> 
but the lictors kept them off; and some, 
evidently recognising Eros as a Christian, 
gathering round, bore him off out of sight 
just as Gaius and his companions arrived 
on the spot. They dared not disallow the 
claim made by Marcia, for it had been 
the privilege of the vestals from time 
immemorial, should they meet a criminal 
going to execution, to demand his release, 
provided the encounter was accidental, and 
that such was the case in this instance 
there appeared to be no doubt. 

Marcia proceeded on her way, and Gaius, 
who was not altogether displeased at the 
occurrence, as he hoped to recover his 
slave, returned to the college. 



THE TRIAL OF THE VESTAL. 

THE vestal Coelia was summoned to 
undergo her trial before the college of 
pontiffs seated in council. 

She stood looking pale but undaunted 
in their presence. The pontiff Coecus was 
her judge, and at the same time one of her 
accusers. With the others she was not 
allowed to be confronted. 

She acknowledged without hesitation 
that the sacred fire had gone out while 
under her charge, and she condescended so 
far to defend herself as to remind Coecus 
that it was in consequence of liis holding 
her for so long a time in conversation. She 
confessed also that she had been reading 
a book held in respect by the Nazarenes, 
and she claimed the right of a free-born 
Roman to peruse the work, which was 



134 Jovinian. 

one well known to be approved of by the 
emperor. 

" You may hav# a right to read that or 
any other work, but not to imbibe the 
principles of that accursed sect which it 
advocates," answered Coecus; "and that 
you do hold them you have acknowledged 
to me/* 

" And I pray for grace that I may hold 
them to the end," replied Coelia, looking 
the pontiff calmly in the face as she held 
her hands clasped hanging down before her. 

"She admits that the sacred fire was 
extinguished in consequence of her care- 
lessness," exclaimed Coecus, turning to the 
other pontiffs ; '* nor does she express the 
slightest regret at her horrible sin. One 
guilty of so terrible a crime is capable of 
committing any other wickedness, however 
odious ; and that she has done so, and that 
she has broken her vows, has been proved 
by the witnesses we have examined. That 
she is no longer worthy of being numbered 
among the vestals of Rome, I have already 
placed sufficient evidence before you." 

Coecus read over the false accusations 



The Trial of the Vestal. 135 

which had been brought against the vestal. 
The guilty participator of her crime had 
escaped, he observed, but would un« 
doubtedly be captured. Still, from the 
oaths of the several witnesses — which he 
named — her guilt was evident. 

A flush mantled on the brow of the 
young vestal as she heard herself accused 
of a crime so foreign to her nature ; yet 
she did not quail before that of her stern 
judge and accuser. 

"You know, and these my other judges 
know, that I am innocent," she said, in a 
voice which trembled but slightly. " If I 
am to be put to death, I am ready to die, 
if you have a right to destroy me, as a 
Roman maiden, with fame unsullied ; I am 
guilty only of no longer believing in the 
goddess to whom in my childhood ~ and 
ignorance my vows were made. I confess 
myself a Christian, and confess also that I 
desire to escape from longer serving the 
false goddess in whom you pretend to be- 
lieve. But I indignantly deny the terrible 
accusation brought against me, which you 
yourself know to be utterly false." 



136 Jovinian. 

"Away with the girl: terror has made 
her mad!" cried the enraged pontiff, 
forgetting the dignity of his position, and 
shaking his fists fiercely at the accused 
maiden. 

Coelia did not reply, but /aising her 
hands to heaven — the only time she had 
altered the position which she had from 
the first maintained — she implored that 
protection which He in whom she be^ 
lieved was able and willing to afford. 

She did not deign to plead to her cruel 
judges. She saw clearly that, for some 
object of their own, they had pre-deter« 
mined on her destruction. She calmly 
waited to hear what more they had to say. 

Coecus, standing up, pronounced her 
doom — ^that which from time immemorial 
had been inflicted on vestals who had been 
guilty of breaking their vows. 

Her garments — worn by the vestals — 
and badges of office were to be taken from 
her, and she was to be habited as a corpse, 
placed in a litter, and borne through the 
Forum, attended by her relatives ^ and 
friends, with all the ceremony of a real 



The Trial of the Vestal. 137 

funeral. Then she was to be carried to the 
Campus Sceleratus, situated close to the 
CoUine Gate, just within the city walls. In 
this spot a small vault underground^ as in 
other cases, would have been prepared. It 
would contain a couch, a lamp, and a table, 
with a jar of water and a small amount of 
food. 

Had the Fontifex Maximus been in 
Rome, it would have been his duty to take 
a chief part in the ceremony. Having 
lifted up his hands, he would have opened 
the litter, led forth the culprit, and placed 
her on the steps of the ladder by which 
she would be compelled to descend to the 
subterranean cell, and he would there have 
delivered her over to the common exe- 
cutioner and his assistants. They would 
lead her down into her living tomb, draw 
up the ladder, and then fill in the passage 
to the vault with earth so as to make the 
surface level with the surrounding ground. 

Here the hapless vestal, deprived of all 
marks of respect ordinarily paid to the 
spirits of the departed, would be left to 
perish miserably by starvation, should 



138 Jovinian. 

terror not have previously deprived her of 
life. 

Such was the doom pronounced on 
Ccelia. 

She heard it unmoved, and walked 
with unfaltering steps between two of the 
oflScers of the pontiff, to be delivered back 
to Fausta, the Vestalis Maxima, who was 
in waiting to receive her. Not an ex- 
pression of pity escaped the lips of the old 
vestal, although she knew as well as Coecus 
that Ccelia was innocent of the graver 
crime of which she was^ charged. But her 
heart had become hardened and scathed ; 
not a grain of sympathy for her fellow- 
creatures remained in her bosom. 

She believed she was acting in a way 
pleasing to the goddess she served ; and she 
would have been ready to sacrifice her 
nearest relatives, if by so doing she would 
have advanced the cause of idolatry. She 
was aware that she no longer retained the 
affection of any of the vestals under her 
charge. Harsh and irritable, she ruled 
them with a r9d of iron ; and believed that 
the service of the temple was never so 



The Trial of the Vestal. 139 

faithfully performed as it had been since 
she became its principal priestess. Fausta 
has since had countless imitators, most of 
whom have been as completely deceived as 
she was. 

Coelia was conducted back to the cell 
in which she had before been confined, 
beneath the floor of the temple, where only 
the coarsest viands were allowed her to 
sustain nature. She was guarded night 
and day by two vestals, who were directed 
to summon assistance should they require 
it. Coecus was satisfied that the death of 
the vestal would prove to the multitude 
that the ancient religion of Rome was still 
paramount, notwithstanding the predilec- 
tions of the emperor in favour of Chris- 
tianity,, and the privileges he was inclined 
to grant to the Nazarenes. He therefore 
hardened his heart against all feeling of 
pity at the terrible fate about to be inflicted 
on the innocent maiden, and now prepared, 
with all the energy of his nature, to make 
arrangements for the grand procession 
about to take place, and which he had 
nesolved should precede the cruel cere- 



I40 Jovinian. 

mony he had determined to carry out. 
He was well aware that the Emperor 
Constantine would forbid so barbarous an 
act ; but as he was engaged in the East in 
buildiilg his new city, it was impossible for 
him to hear of it for a long time to come, 
and although, when he became cognisant of 
what had occurred, he would undoubtedly 
blame the pontiffs, Ccecus believed that he 
and the other members of the college had 
yet sufficient influence in Rome to set even 
Augustus himself at defiance. 

The day broke bright and beautiful. All 
the altars in the temples and the shrines 
in the streets were gaily decorated with 
wreaths and flowers; while banners and 
gaily-coloured clothe were hung out from 
the windows, or over the walls of the 
private houses, in the streets through which 
the procession was to pass. As usual> 
numbers of religious mendicants — belong- 
ing to a brotherhood devoted to begging 
-—with huge satchels on their backs, and 
figures of gods or demigods in their hands, 
were on foot, eager to collect contributions 
from the multitude assembled on the oc- 



The Trial of the Vestal. 141 

casion. The members of several other 
heathen brotherhoods also might have been 
seen hurrying through the city, to take 
their part in the spectacle. 

Now the procession streamed forth from 
the temple of Flora, which formed one of a 
line of magnificent temples extending from 
the Flavian amphitheatre to the north of 
the Palatine and Capitoline hills — that of 
Rome and Venus being the most easterly, 
and nearest ta the amphitheatre. As it 
appeared, shouts of joy and applause were 
raised by the multitude. There had been 
no lack of persons ready to perform the 
duty of carrying the banners and figures of 
the gods and the goddesses. Ccecus had also 
secured the assistance of as large a number 
of the female part of the population as he 
could collect, for he believed that could he 
keep them attached to the old faith, there 
would be less danger of their husbands 
becoming its opponents. Some hundreds of 
dames and damsels dressed in white, their 
heads adorned with glittering jewels and 
bright wreaths, issued from the temple, 
scattering handfuls of flowers before and 



142 Jovinian. 

around them. Bands of musicians per- 
formed their most lively airs suited to the 
occasion ; vast numbers of young children, 
dressed likewise in white, with floral orna- 
ments, chanted at intervals hymns in 
honour of the goddess. Priests also, of 
numerous temples, with shorn crowns, 
there were, carrying banners or figures of 
the gods they served, or sacred relics. 
The heathen magistrates and officers of 
state had willingly consented to attend 
and exhibit themselves in the procession, 
although the Christians had universally 
refused, under any pretence, to take a part 
in the idolatrous performance. Coecus, 
as he watched the pageant winding its 
enormous length along the streets, the 
banners and gilded statues glittering in 
the sun, before he took his accustomed 
place with his brother pontiffs, felt satis- 
fied that the larger portion of the popula- 
lation of Rome still sided with them. 

Gaius alone, as he walked along, 
muttered not a few expressions of dis- 
content. " To say the least of it, these pro- 
cessions are a bore," he grumbled. " They 



The Trial of the Vestal. 143 

may please the mob, but sensible men 
ridicule them ; and we who superintend 
them, and have thus to parade through the 
streets, have become the laughing-stock of 
all the wise men and philosophers. It 
will in no way benefit us, notwithstanding 
the trouble we take in the matter: how 
completely I have failed of convincing my 
young nephew of the advisability of the 
worship of the immortal gods his running 
away and refusing to return is strong evi- 
dence. As to putting to death this poor 
girl Coelia, I do not half like it. The 
emperor will visit us with his anger should 
her Christian friends prove her innocence, 
as they are sure to attempt doing. They 
are wonderfully active in defending their 
own friends, when they can do so by means 
of the law, without having recourse to 
force. This may be on account of their 
mean and timid spirits ;' though it is said 
that they fight well in battle, and that the 
emperor places great dependence on their 
courage and fidelity. Well, well, 'Times 
change, and we must change with them,' as 
one of our poets sings ; but for my part I 



144 Jovinian. 

would rather have retained our old- 
fashioned ways. What has endured so 
long must be the best. The oldest re- 
ligion cannot but be the right one^ at all 
events most suited to the multitude^ while 
it has not failed to bring a copious revenue 
into our coffers, and that, after all, is the 
matter of chief consequence to us. All 
the accounts, however, which come from 
Byzantium show that Augustus is be- 
coming more and more inclined to favour 
these Christians. I wish that Ccecus had 
not been so obstinate, and would at once 
have consented to abandon our failing 
cause." 

When passing close to the Arch of Con- 
stantine, which had been erected after the 
visit of the emperor to Rome close to the 
Flavian amphitheatre, he glanced up at it 
with a look of contempt. "What can be 
expected of our Romans nowadays, when 
the whole architectural talent of our city 
can only produce a monstrosity like 
that!" he observed to a brother pontiff 
walking next to him. "'The times are 
changed, and we must cliange with them,'" 



The Trial of the Vestal. 145 

he repeated, ''if we wish to retain our 
position." 

The other pontiff only shook his head, 
and groaned. 



10 



(M^ttJC XL 

RELEASED. 

AS the procession moved along towards 
the Sacra Via, Gaius observed a 
number of persons of a better class stand- 
ing aloof, and watching it with looks far 
removed from admiration. Although the 
most earnest Christians kept away from 
such exhibitions, there were several people 
of good position who he knew had em- 
braced the new faith, while there were 
others, among whom he recognised a poet, 
an architect, a sculptor, two or three philo- 
sophers, and some other men of intellect, 
who, although not Christians, he suspected 
had no belief in the immortal gods of 
Rome, as they were wont to look with most 
supreme contempt on spectacles such as 
that in which he was taking a part, 

"There they stand, sneering at us," he 



J 



Released. 147 

muttered ; " perhaps they come to look 
as they believe it to be for the last time at 
our gods and goddesses parading our city ; 
but they are mistaken, — our old divinities 
will hold their places still in the faith and 
affections of the people, albeit they may be 
habited in somewhat different garments." 

Now and then the eye of Gaius caught 
that of some young gallant, who nodded to 
him familiarly, and smiled at his evident 
annoyance as he endeavoured to keep up 
his dignity. The .procession moved along 
towards the Capitoline Hill, on which 
stooci the great temple of Jupiter, where 
the chief ceremonies of the day were to be 
performed. The people waved garlands, 
and shouted, the more devout prostrating 
themselves before the statues as they 
passed along, until the hill was gained. 
Coecus had taken care to have a large 
number of animals ready for the sacrifice, 
so that the people might not be stinted in 
their expected portions of meat. He well 
knew that they, chiefly valued these cere- 
monies for the food they were certain to 
obtain after them. 



148 Jovinian. 

The procession once more filed off 
tlirough the streets, depositing the figures 
of the gods and goddesses in their respec- 
tive temples and shrines ; but the business 
of the day was not over. Coecus and his 
brother pontiffs had undertaken to super- 
intend a ceremony of a very different 
character. 

On arriving at the temple of Vesta they 
there found Fausta prepared for the part 
she was to play. Within the court was 
seen a litter closely covered in, borne by 
tnen with shrouded faces, and habited in 
Hark robes. Its appearance was lugubrious 
in the extreme. 

" Have you prepared the guilty creature 
for her just doom }'' asked Coecus of the 
Vestalis Maxima. 

" She awaits you in her cell," answered 
Fausta ; " but you have not as yet inflicted 
the scourging — ^which, according to the 
ancient custom, she should suffer." 

" We will omit it in her case," answered 
Poecus, with whom his brother pontiffs 
had previously pleaded, even their minds 
revolting^ at causing one so young and 



Released, 1 49 

innocent to suifer such degradation. "It 
would of necessity have to be inflicted 
in private ; therefore, no one will know 
whether or not she has suffered. No 
object therefore will be gained," observed 
Ccecus. 

" Are we in these days thus to n^lect 
our ancient customs } " exclaimed Fausta. 
"That she is young and beautiful is no 
reason why she should escape the punish- 
ment which is her due." 

The pontiff made no reply ; perhaps 
even he discerned the love of cruelty which 
the remark of the ancient priestess ex- 
hibited. 

" I am thankful I have not to submit to 
the discipline which the old virgin is in- 
clined to inflict on her disciples," muttered 
Gaius. " I Ivrould as lief see a tigress de- 
prived of her cubs placed in charge of a 
flock of sheep as a band of young maidens 
given to the custody of a bitter old woman 
like Fausta. If they were not inclined to 
act naughtily before, they would be driven 
to do so, in very despair, when subject to 
her tender mercies." 



150 yovintan. 

" We can delay no longer," said Coecus 
to the elder vestal ; " let the criminal be 
brought forth and placed in the litter." 

His orders were obeyed. After a short 
interval a figure, closely veiled, in coarse 
attire, was conducted out, and unresist- 
ingly placed in the litter. Coecus then 
gave the word to the bearers and atten- 
dants to move on. Fausta and three other 
vestals accompanied the funferal procession, 
but no weeping relatives and friends — as in 
most instances would have been the case 
— followed Coelia. She was alone in the 
world, without loving kindred. Her male 
relations were far away with the armies of 
the emperor, and her mother, sisters, and 
female connexions, had been removed by 
death since she, in her extreme youth, had 
been dedicated by her heathen father to 
the service of the goddess. 

She was thus considered a fit victim, 
whose barbarous fate there was no one to 
revenge. Marcia had spoken of her as her 
sister, but she was a sister only of the 
Sffections. Slowly the mournful procession 
moved on, and a stranger would have 



Released. 151 

supposed that a corpse was being borne to 
the funeral pile ; but those who watched at 
a distance knew well — from the direction it 
was taking, to the Campus Sceleratus — 
that there was a terrible fate prepared for 
the occupant of the litter. Such a spec- 
tacle had not been for a long time seen in 
Rome, and did not fail to attract a large 
number of the population. 

Gaius, who was looking about him, re- 
marked amongst the crowd a considerable 
number of persons whom he knew to be 
Christians, who walked along with sad and 
averted looks. Some he recognised as 
presbyters and deacons, and other officers 
of the Christian Church. He felt no little 
surprise at seeing them : he even fancied 
that he saw the Christian bishop ; but as 
his costume differed but slightly from the 
rest of the people, he was uncertain that 
such was the case. H^ did not feel alto- 
gether satisfied about the matter ; but still, 
as they were unarmed, he believed that, 
even should they feel inclined to rescue the 
doomed vestal, they would not make the 
attempt "What can it mean.?" said he 



152 Jovinian. 

to himself. " I wish that Ccecus had left 
the matter alone ; it is my belief that we 
shall gain nothing by the death of this 
young creature, and we shall have much 
greater difficulty hereafter, when we pre- 
tend to turn Christians, in persuading 
these presbyters and others that we are 
in earnest. However, it is too late now to 
expostulate with him. Ccecus is a man 
who, having once determined on carrying 
out an object, is not to be deterred from it." 
The Campus Sceleratus was at length 
reached. It was a gloomy spot, and was 
called the Campus Sceleratus, because it 
was here that vestal virgins convicted of 
breaking their vows had for ages past been 
entombed alive ; for even although doomed 
to this fearful punishment, they retainecj 
the privilege of being interred within the 
walls. Ruin and desolation reigned around, 
for only the poorest and most abandoned 
were willing to erect their abodes in the 
neighbourhood of a spot deemed accursed. 
Beyond rose the dark walls erected araund 
the city — a sign of the degeneracy of the 
inhabitants^ whose breasts and stout arms 



Released. 153 

in former days had .been considered suffi- 
cient for its protection. Near it was the 
Porta CoUina, from whence started two im- 
portant roads (the Via Salaria and the Via 
Nomentana), passing close to the enormous 
baths erected by the Emperor Diocletian. 
Thusi people from all parts of the city 
had easy access to the spot. A large 
crowd soon collected. Even some of the 
frequenters of the bath sauntered forth, 
prompted by their curiosity to see what 
was taking place. 

Coecus had kept his intention a secret ; 
how it had become known he could not 
tell. Although he wished to have some 
spectators who were likely to approve of 
his proceedings, he had no desire to have 
them witnessed by so large and- mixed a 
concourse. Still, he was determined to go 
through with what he; had undertaken. 

The litter stopped near the centre of the 
field, on the summit of a slight elevation. 

The earth turned up in heaps showed 
the entrance to the horrible tomb prepared 
for the hapless vestal. The sun was, now 
sinking behind the Pincian hill, but still 



154 yovinian. 

shot forth its rays above the trees which 
crowned its summit, and lighted up the 
dark litter and those who stood around. 
In the hollow below were the fossors, with 
the public executioner and his attendants, 
ready to receive the doomed vestal and to 
lead her into her tomb. Coecus, who had 
to perform the part which would have been 
taken by the Pontifex Maximus —a dignity 
long held by the emperors, as it was still 
by Constantine — raised his hands to the 
skies ; but his words, if he uttered any, were 
not heard. He then gave directions to the 
bearers to place the litter on the ground, 
and advanced, in order to lead forth his 
victim. He started back. Without assist- 
ance a figure rose from within, and stepped 
forth, when, casting off the dark garment 
which shrouded her, instead of Coelia, the 
vestal Marcia, in her white robes, with a 
purple fillet encircling her brow, appeared 
in all her radiant beauty. 

" She whom you cruel men would have 
destroyed has escaped ! " she said. " Me 
you cannot accuse of the crime with which 
you falsely charge3 her. My eyes have 



Released. 155 

been opened ; from henceforth no longer 
will I serve your false goddesses ! I de- 
clare myself a Christian, and appeal for pro- 
tection to the .emperor. Ah ! you dare not 
stop me," she added, as Coecus, hoping that 
what she had said had not been heard by 
those around, stepped forward to grasp her 
arm. At the same moment several persons 
were seen approaching, who were at once 
perceived to be presbyters and other men 
of influence in the Christian Church. They 
were attended by several lictors and other 
officers of fhe law. 

Coecus drew back as Marcia spoke, but 
his presence of mind did not desert him. 

" I see that there is One who protects 
the Christians more powerful than the 
gods of the ancients," he exclaimed. " We 
were ignorantly endeavouring to perform 
what we considered our duty; but it is 
evident that a miracle — of which I have 
heard the Christians speak — ^has been 
wrought. Brother pontiffs, what say you } 
For my own part I am inclined to embrace 
the faith which has become that of the fair 
and beautiful Marcia." 



156 Jovinian. 

'* Anything you please," muttered Gaius 
in a low voice ; " but it seems to me that 
we have gained but little by this pro- 
ceeding." 

Coecus, however, was, as has been seen, 
a man of prompt action. Ordering the 
fossors to fill in the tomb, he declared that 
from henceforth no vestal should be buried 
on that spot. He expressed his belief that 
he had been greatly deceived by some of 
the witnesses who had been suborned to 
swear falsely against the innocent Coelia* 
He then advanced towards Amulius, and 
the other presbyters, and expressed his 
wish to be instructed in their faith. "I 
will," he added, " in the meantime retain 
my position as chief of the pontiffs ; but it 
shall be that we may together design the 
means of advancing further the Christian 
religion." 

Whether or not Amulius and the other 
presbyters trusted to the expressions of 
Coecus it was difficult to say, but the larger 
number of persons among the crowd, 
many of whom were Christians, believed 
him ; while the idolaters, who had been 



Released. 157 

wont to look up to him as the director of 
their religious mysteries, were unable to 
comprehend the meaning of the wonderful 
change which had taken place. That the 
chief pontiff of Rome, who had clung to 
her idolatries, and even defied the emperor 
after he had expressed himself openly 
in favour of the new faith, should thus 
suddenly declare his intention of becoming 
a Christian, seemed to them a thing alto- 
gether incomprehensible. 

The first rejoiced under the idea that 
they had gained a great accession to their 
strength, since the chief of their opponents 
had thus openly declared himself willing 
to become one of their number ; while to 
the crowd of heathens it was a matter of 
indifference, so long as they should receive 
their accustomed doles of food, and could 
enjoy the spectacles with which they had 
so long been indulged. 



^^tn xii. 

CAPTURED. 

WHEN Jovinian found himself in the 
hands of the Roman soldier, he 
naturally struggled to get free. He was 
held fast, however, by the man who had 
seized him, 

"Why, by Mars, I believe he must be 
the youth we were sent to look for with the 
slave Eros whom we captured yesterday and 
took back to his master, the pontiff Gaius," 
exclaimed the soldier, holding his torch so 
that the light fell on Jovinian's countenance. 

" Whether or not you speak the truth, I 
am a Roman citizen, guilty of no crime, 
with perfect right, prompted by whatever 
cause, to visit these galleries," answered 
Jovinian, feeling that his best course was to 
put a bold face upon the matter^ and not 
to exhibit any signs of fear. 



Captured. 159 

"You cannot deny that you are the 
youth we are in search of— the nephew of 
the pontiff Gaius," said the soldier. ** Al- 
though we may have missed the larger 
game we were sent to hunt down, we have 
secured you, and shall obtciin the reward 
promised us ; so come along." 

" What 1 and give up the search for the 
others we expected to capture ! " observed 
another soldier. "The youth was in 
company with two or more persons. Will 
you consent to lead us to where your 
friends are concealed } " he continued, ad- 
dressing Jovinian ; " it will be well for you 
if you do, for if we take them we will allow 
you to go free." So debased was the 
soldier, that it did not occur to him that 
he was making a proposal which was sure 
to be refused, 

"I know not where those you speak of 
have gone, nor would I lead you to them 
if I did," answered Jovinian. "I insist, 
however, on being set at liberty. By what 
authority do you detain me } " 

" By that of the grip I have on your 
arm," answered the soldier, laughing ; "your 



1 60 yovinian. 

boldness proves you to be the youth 
we were sent to look after ; so come along, 
I say, and if you will not show us the way 
your friends have taken we must try and 
find it ourselves." 

While the man was speaking some of 
his companions discovered the gallery along 
which Jovinian had been endeavouring to 
make his escape. " This way, this way ! " 
cried several of the soldiers ; " they must 
have gone down here, and we shall soon 
overtake them." 

The party, dragging Jovinian with them, 
entered the gallery ; but he observed that 
most of their torches were nearly burnt 
out, and he knew that if they continued on 
long they would be left in total darkness. 
This, however, the soldiers did not appear 
to have thought of. Jovinian was relieved 
of all anxiety about his friend Severus and 
the fossor from finding the soldiers pro- 
ceeding along the gallery by which he had 
at first attempted to escape until convinced 
that it was not the path he ought to have 
followed. What he had expected soon hap- 
pened : first one torch went out, then another. 



Captured. 1 6 1 

" We must beat a retreat, or we shall be 
losing our way," said the man who held 
him, calling to his comrades. " No time 
to lose ! Quick ! quick I— our safest plan is 
to retreat by the road we entered ; let all 
the torches be put out except one, which 
will suffice to guide us; these galleries 
have no end, they say, or may conduct, for 
what I know, to the infernal regions." 

Even the plan proposed availed the 
party but little. They had made their 
way much farther than they supposed 
along the galleries. 

The first torch was quickly burnt out, a 
second and third were soon after extin- 
guished ; and in a short time, before they 
had got to any great distance from the 
entrance to the gallery where Jovinian 
had been captured, the torch alone of the 
soldier who held him by the arm was left 
alight. 

" Here, Bassus," said his captor, address- 
ing a comrade, "hold him fast and bring 
him along. I will go ahead and lead the 
way, or we shall be left in darkness." 

The speaker hurried forward, and 

II 



1 62 Jovinian. 

Jovinian felt his arm clasped by his fresh 
guardian. 

^irectly afterwards the other man, in 
his ^fkgerness, stumbled over a block of 
stone, and dropped his torch into a pool of 
water, by which it was immediately extin- 
guished. The men groped their way in 
the direction they had before been going. 
" On ! on ! " cried their leader : " we must 
escape from this as fast as we can." 

Other passages turned off from the 
gallery they had been following ; and, as a 
natural consequence, some of the men 
went into one of them, others into a 
second, and more into a third, and then, 
suspecting that they were going wrong, 
they tried to retrace their steps, and in a 
short time completely lost themselves. 

Jovinian and his guard had not gone far 
when the latter whispered to him, " If you 
know the road out of this, and wish to 
make your escape, you are welcome to do 
so. It is my belief that we shall be all 
lost in this labyrinth ; the further we go 
the less hope th^re will be for you. I 
would not involve you in our destruction. 



Captured. 1 63 

I am a Christian, and would gladly ac- 
company you, but I must not desert my 
comrades." As Bassus spoke he released 
his captive's arm. 

Jovinian was at first inclined to doubt 
the man, but this last remark convinced 
him that Bassus was a follower of the Lord- 

'* If you will accompany me I will try 
and find the way," he said ; " and would 
rather have you with me than be alone." 

'' No, no ; go, and save yourself," said 
Bassus. "I am committing a military 
crime in letting you go ; but I feel sure 
that I shall never be questioned on the 
subject." 

At length Jovinian, finding that he could 
not persuade Bcissus to accompany him, 
took his advice. With arms outstretched 
before him, he hastened along the gallery 
away from the soldiers. He had carefully 
noted the distance he had come since 
leaving the mouth of the passage along 
which Severus and the fossor, he was now 
satisfied, had proceeded. He hoped that 
they would come back and look for him, 
and if not, that he might be led by Provi- 



1 64 Jovinian. 

dence to the abode of Gentianus. For some 
time he could hear the soldiers shouting to 
each other, but their cries grew fainter and 
fainter. The entrance to the gallery he 
was seeking for was on the left side, and 
then he ought, he supposed, to take the 
first opening on the right, instead, as he 
had before done, of going straight forward. 
On he went, but in the darkness his pro- 
gress wa§ of necessity very slow ; still, as he 
had the path mapped, as it were, clearly in 
his mind, he proceeded without hesitation. 
At last he entered the gallery he was seek- 
ing for. 



%agter XIIL 

THE ASSASSINS. 

THE way before Jovinian was now un- 
known, and he had to walk with the 
greatest caution. He might meet with 
some pit, or hole, or flight of steps, or the 
gallery might turn off abruptly to the right 
or left. He had heard that persons had 
been lost in these galleries, and wandered 
about for days, unable to find their way 
out, when they had sunk down from hunger 
and fatigue, and died. These were, how- 
ever, heathens who had gone in pursuit* of 
the Christian fugitives. The God of the 
Christians, he knew, would be watching 
over him; he, therefore, had no cowardly 
fears, but went forward in the full con- 
fidence that he would be protected. 

Even with a torch the undertaking 
would have been a difficult one. It ap- 



1 66 Jovinian. 

peared to him that he had gone on for 
half an hour or more. Every now and 
then he shouted out, in the hope that 
Severus might hear him; but no answer 
came to his cries, except an occasional 
echo from the galleries on either hand. 
He remembered that he and his friends 
had proceeded a considerable distance be- 
fore they encountered the soldiers, so that 
it must of necessity take him a long time 
to get back. He was surprised that 
Severus and the fossor had not come to 
look for him, feeling confident that he was 
following the gallery they had taken. How 
much longer he wandered on he could 
scarcely tell. At times he felt almost in- 
clined to sit down in despair ; but then he 
said to himself, "He who watches over 
Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps ; I will 
trust to Him," and with renewed courage 
he went on. Although he might not dis- 
cover the abode of Gentianus, or find his 
way out of the catacomb, he was sure to 
encounter some of the persons who might 
come to visit the tombs of the martyrs, or 
to pray at the graves of their relatives, and 



The Assassins. 167 

they would certainly render him all •the 
assistance in their power. 

It also occurred to him that other parties 
might have been sent in search of Gen- 
tianus and Severus, and it would be dan- 
gerous to fall into their hands. 

He might conceal himself, however, 
should he discover any suspicious-looking 
persons approaching. He was too anxious 
to experience any sensation of hunger ; but 
he at length began to feel very weary. 
He fancied, indeed, that he must already 
have been groping his way for several 
hours. If so, he could hardly have pro- 
ceeded in a straight line, and might, for 
aught he could tell, be actually turning 
back in the direction from which he had 
come. '* Had I myself only to depend pn, 
such might be the case I — but the Go4 of 
love and mercy will lead me ; I will trust 
Him," he exclaimed. 

Becoming accustomed to the darkness, 
he found that he could move much faster 
than at first, and, with his hands stretched 
out^ the instant his fingers came in contact 
with the rock, he was able easily to avoid 



1 68 yovinian* 

it. •At length his feet struck against a 
slab of stone. It was the facing of a tomb, 
which had never been placed in its intended 
position. This showed him that he was in a 
part of the galleries likely to be visited, and 
reminded him also that he might probably 
stumble over other similar impediments. 

He sat down to rest, at the same time 
listening for a sound which might assist 
to guide him, should persons perchance be 
in any of the neighbouring galleries. He 
had sat thus for some time, and was on the 
point of moving onwards, when a faint cry 
reached his ear ; it came from the direction 
towards which he had been proceeding. 
He had gone a few paces, when he saw a 
light streaming along the gallery, on the 
left. He hurried towards it. As he ap- 
proached the spot from whence the light 
shone forth, he observed that it issued from- 
a lantern held by a female, whom he recog- 
nised as Rufina. Another female was bend- 
ing over a person who lay stretched on the 
ground. The first was Julia, the other 
Eugenia, whom she appeared to be endea- 
vouring to restore to animation, uttering, 



The Assassins. 169 

at the same time, expressions of grief 
and endearment. "Oh, mother! mother! 
speak to me," she exclaimed. "Revive! 
the danger is over; we have escaped our 
pursuers, and are safe here ! " So engaged 
were Julia and Rufina in their efforts to 
recall Eugenia to consciousness that they 
had not heard Jovinian approach. Rufina, 
her ear catching the sound of footsteps, 
at length perceived him. At first she cast 
towards him a look of alarm, but discover- 
ing who he was, she uttered an exclamation 
of joy. " Here is Jovinian, dear lady," she 
exclaimed; "your husband Severus cannot 
be far off, arid we shall be able to escape 
from the wretches who were following us." 
From what Jovinian heard, he knew that 
Severus and his guide must still be wan- 
dering about the galleries, or else that they 
had been overtaken by some of the parties 
sent to capture them. Unwilling, however, 
to deprive his friends of the hopes Rufina 
had endeavoured to raise, he did not express 
his fears ; but, kneeling down by the side of 
Eugenia, he tried to assist Julia and Rufina 
in restoring her to animation. 



170 Jovinian. 

" " There is a fountain near," he said ; " I 
heard the sound of the water bubbling 
forth as I came along : very likely a cup or 
basin may have been left near it to enable 
passers-by to drink ; let me take the lantern, 
and I will quickly return." 

" Oh, go ! go ! " said Julia ; " we shall not 
fear to remain in darkness." 

,He was not disappointed in his expecta- 
tions ; a small metal cup was placed in a 
niche by -the side of the rock, out of which 
the water bubbled forth, making its escape 
by some hidden course beneath the ground. 
This showed that the gallery must be fre- 
quently visited. 

Jovinian hastened back with the cool 
liquid, with which Julia bathed her mother's 
brow and lips, pouring a small quantity 
down her throat. 

Julia thanked hini more by her looks 
than with her lips. "Oh, see! she is 
reviving now," she exclaimed. 

After a short time Eugenia was able to 
sit up, and declared herself strong enough 
to proceed, should it be necessary. 

"We are as safe here as in any other 



\ The Assassins. 171 

part of the gallery," observed Rufina. 
" Should any person approach, we can seek 
for shelter in one of the many passages 
which turn off close to us." 

Eugenia's first inquiry was for her hus- 
band. 

"I trust that he is safe," answered 
Jovinian ; and he then described how he 
had been parted from him. His answer 
appeared rather to increase than to calm 
Eugenia's alarm. Jovinian now inquired 
of Rufina what had caused them to take 
to flight ; for he was unwilling to question 
either Julia or her mother, who was, indeed, 
little able to answer him. 

" It was I who have been the instrument 
in God's hands of warning them of the 
dangers with which they were threatened, 
and of assisting them to escape from their 
heathen enemies," answered Rufina. "It 
happened in this wise : Eros had ventured 
forth, unwisely as it proved, from his hiding- 
place, when he was captured by some 
emissaries of your uncle Gaius. We 
mourned him as lost, feeling sure that 
his life would be sacrificed to the ven- 



172 ybvtntan. 

geance of the pontiff. We were not mis- 
taken : he was doomed to be crucified. 
The night before he was to suffer, when 
it was believed by his guards that he 
would never again hold comunication with 
his fellow-creatures, he sat with heavy 
chains on his legs and arms ; they, either 
supposing him to be asleep, or not caring 
whether he" heard or not, began to talk of 
various projects on foot; some of those, 
which only showed in what vile offices 
they were engaged, were matters of in- 
difference to him. -At length, however, 
they spoke of a design for the destruction 
of Gentianus and Severus. They hoped 
to obtain a guide — 'one well acquainted 
with the galleries, a 'irecreant to the faith 
of the Gospel — and by his means they felt 
sure of accomplishing their object. 

"What he heard brought deep grief 
to the heart of Bros. A slave bound in 
chains and expecting to die on the 
morrow, he could render no assistance to 
the noble patrician who was thus placed 
in such fearful jeopardy, and about whom 
I had so often spoken to him." Rufina 



The Assassins. 173 

then described how the life of Eros had 
been saved by the vestal Marcia. "As 
soon afi he was at liberty," she continued, 
" he hastened to me, and told me what he 
had heard — I being better able to warn 
our friends than any one he knew. There 
was not a moment to be lost, he said, for 
that very day the assassins would set out 
on their search. Eros offered to accom- 
pany me ; but this I declined, and hastened 
as fast as my feet would convey me to 
the entrance of the galleries. After much 
difficulty I found the ladies, Eugenia 
and Julia, with the patrician Gentianus ; 
I warned them of the approach of the 
assassins, entreating Gentianus to fly with 
his daughter and Julia. 

" ' I should only impede them,' he 
answered. * Rufina, I charge you conduct 
them to a place of safety ; I will remain 
here ; I am prepared for whatever Heaven 
will allow my enemies to do.' 

" In vain we pleaded with him. He 
made his commands imperative on us. 
' Seek for Severus, and warn him,' he 
added ; ' his life is .of more value than 



1 74 yovinian. 

mine; he may still live to preach the 
Gospel and to exhort sinners to turn to 
the Saviour. Again he charged us to 
fly, in a way we could not disobey ; and 
Eugenia, who had ever implicitly followed 
his commands, taking Julia by the hand, 
accompanied me in the direction I con- 
sidered the safest. 

" Scarcely had we left the gallery when 
we heard the shouts of the assassins, 
as, led by their treacherous guide, they 
burst into the long-concealed chamber. I 
judged by their voices that they were 
expressing their disappointment at not 
discovering Severus. The guide, either 
knowing his way no farther, or having 
performed what he had undertaken, must 
have refused to lead them on, for they 
did not follow us, as I feared they would 
have d<5ne. I could not leave Eugenia 
and Julia, or I would have retraced my 
steps, and endeavoured to ascertain the 
direction they had taken. Judging by 
the sounds I heard, I believed that, dread- 
ing to remain in the gallery, they had 
endeavoured to regain the upper world.'* 



The Assassins. 175 

Jovinian trusted that such might be the 
case ; but greatly feared they were more 
likely to have gone in search of Severus. 
He offered to try and find his way to the 
abode of Gentianus, if Rufina could give 
him sufficient directions. "I have been 
so many hours moving in the dark that 
I do not fear to make the attempt," he 
said, " and the lamp hanging to the roof, 
which it is not likely has been extin- 
guished, will guide me when I approach 
the chamber." 

Eugenia, deeply anxious to know what 
had occurred to her father, gladly accepted 
Jovinian's offer. 

" Oh that I might go with you ! " said[ 
Julia, taking his hand. 

" No," said Rufina ; " it will be far safer 
for you to go alone." And she then pro- 
ceeded to give him such directions as he 
believed would enable him to direct his 
course aright. 

He set out, counting his steps, that 
he might not fail to know the distance 
he had traversed. More than once he 
stopped, fearing that he had missed his 



176 yovinian. 

way; but, feeling the importance of his 
errand, he persevered in his endeavour, 
and so well did he remember his direc- 
tions, that he made no mistake. At 
length he reached the entrance to the 
gallery which led to the chamber. It had 
been left open by Rufina, who had been 
unable to shut it, and at the farther end 
he saw the faint light of the lamp still 
burning. He stopped and listened. No 
sound reached his ear. He feared that 
the assassins, disappointed at not finding 
their chief victim, had wreaked their anger 
on the head of his aged father-in-law. He 
hurried forward as he approached the 
chamber, hoping to see Gentianus still 
seated in his chair; but the chair was 
empty. In another minute he was kneeling 
beside the old man, who was stretched his 
length on the ground. Jovinian at first 
thought that Gentianus was dead; but 
as he lifted up the head of his venerable 
friend, the few faint words uttered by 
Gentianus showed him that he was still 
conscious. 
** Have they escaped ? " he asked ; "have 



The Assassins. 177 

my beloved Eugenia and Julia been 
preserved from the daggers of the assas- 
sins? And Severus, — can you give me 
news of him, my son ? ' or have their cruel 
weapons struck him down ? " 

Jovinian replied that he had but just 
left Eugenia and Julia, and trusted that 
Severus, being accompanied by the fossor, 
would have been enabled to conceal him- 
self from the assassins, even should they 
have gone in pursuit of him. "But can 
I render you no aid ? '' he continued ; " let 
me endeayour to staunch the blood which 
flows from your side/* 

'* It is too late now," answered Gen- 
tianus ; "you must not attempt to move 
me. I know not how many daggers 
entered my body, though the hands of 
those who desired my death failed to 
strike home. I -would forgive them, as I 
would also the relentless foe by whom 
they were despatched on their bloody 
errand. Hasten back, my son, and bring 
my beloved daughter and child ; I would 
thankfully see them once more ere I die." 

Jovinian rose to obey the commands of 

12 



178 Jovinian. 

Gentianus. As he did so he heard foot- 
steps approaching. Stopping a moment, 
he recognised Severus and the fossor. 
" Heaven has sent you assistance ! '* he 
said, again kneeling down by the side of 
his wounded friend. Ere long Severus 
joined him, and they together endeavoured 
to ascertain the injuries received by the old 
man. 

'* It is useless," said Gentianus ; " you 
cannot for long prolong my life, and I 
am willing to depart, and to be \Kth 
Christ. Go, Jovinian, summon my beloved 
daughter and her child ; I would speak to 
them again ere my spirit wings its flight 
to Him who has gone before to prepare a 
place for me." 

Severus, struck with horror at what he 
saw, had scarcely spoken, nor had he time 
to inquire by whom Gentianus had been 
wounded ; but the words he heard assured 
him that his wife and daughter were still 
safe. 

Jovinian would have gone alone, but the 
old fossor, who carried a lantern, at a sign 
from Severus, accompanied him, ands he 



The Assassins. 1 79 



was thus abl^jiiuch more speedily than 
otherwise wovm have been the case, to 
return to where he had left his female 
friends. 

He endeavoured to prepare Eugenia and 
Julia for what had occurred, his heart at 
the same time beating with gratitude to 
Heaven for enabling them to escape the 
fearful danger to which they had been 
exposed. What had caused the assassins 
to retreat he could not tell ; but he 
dreaded that they might return, and dis- 
cover Severus. He resolved, therefore, to 
advise his friend to seek immediately some 
other place of concealment. 

Gentianus was still conscious when they 
regained the chamber ; indeed, he appeared 
to have somewhat recovered his strength. 
His daughter and grandchild threw them- 
selves down beside him, and assisted 
Severus in supporting his head. 

" Do not mourn over me, my children," 
he said, taking Eugenia's hand. "The 
days of my pilgrimage were naturally 
drawing to ft close ; God in His mercy 
has allowed them to be somewhat short- 



1 80 Jovinian. 

ened, and has saved me from witnessing 
the result of the corruptions and errors 
which have crept in among our brethren 
at Rome in consequence of their departure 
from the clear teaching of the blessed 
Gospel. They having neglected the light 
which was in them, it is becoming dark- 
ness. I see it but too plainly, — the greed 
of riches and power possesses the hearts 
of many of those who should have been 
the humble overseers of Christ's flock; 
and the presbyters and deacons but too 
willingly support them, for the sake of 
sharing the wealth they seek to acquire. 

"Many rejoice that the emperor 
supports the Christians, and has bestowed 
worldly rank and dignity on the overseers 
and presbyters ; but I warn you, my chil- 
dren, that he is a far greater foe to the 
true Church of Christ than those monarchs 
who have been deemed its greatest perse- 
cutors. Oh, let me charge you, my be- 
loved ones, to cling closely to the simple 
Gospel ! Be living stones of the temple 
of which Christ is the chief corner-stone ! 
Let not Satan succeed in inducing 



The Assassins. 1 8 1 

you, with the offer of wealth, dignity, or 
honours, to depart from the truth. En- 
deavour by God's grace to stem the tide, 
and never cease to protest against the 
errors and corruptions which have crept 
in among those who have a name to live, 
but are dead. Seek for guidance and 
direction with prayer and supplication, 
and, if you find that you cannot succeed, 
go to some other land, and preach the 
truth of the Gospel among its heathen 
inhabitants; ground them soundly in the 
faith, teaching them that there must be no 
compromise, that they must turn to the 
true God, and worship Him in spirit and 
truth through Christ, abandoning all their 
idolatrous practices, that they must live 
as Christians lived in the apostolic days, 
not looking to emperors, or rulers, or men 
great in the world's eye for support, but 
to Christ the risen One alone." 

"With God's grace I will follow your 
counsel," said Severus, to whom Gentia- 
nus had stretched out his hand. Jovinian 
also took it, and with deep earnestness 
repeated the same words. 



I 

182 Jovinian. 

" Now, my children, I feel myself sink- 
ing. My beloved Eugenia, I leave you 
with confidence under the protection of 
Severus. Then, taking Julia's hand, he 
placed it in that of Jovinian. "May 
heaven give you life and strength, and 
may you, together, fight the good fight 
of faith, and prove a blessing to each 
other, as God, in His loving-kindness, has 
ordained that those united with His will 
shall ever be to one another." 

Jovinian pressed Julia's hand. "With 
her, I promise, thankfully and joyfully, to 
obey your wishes," he said. 

Thus were Jovinian and Julia betrothed. 

The old man continued to address those 
grouped around him, while Kufina and the 
fossor kept watch at the two entrances to 
the chamber. 

The voice of Gentianus grew fainter and 
fainter. It ceased at last, and his children 
knew that his spirit had departed. 



Cj^agte XIV. 

DEPARTURE FROM ROME. 

ALTHOUGH Severus would have 
gladly remained, and have spread the 
Gospel among the benighted inhabitants of 
the capital, he reluctantly determined to 
follow the counsel of his father-in-law, and 
the advice now given him by his friends, 
and to retire to a region on which he had 
long fixed his thoughts. It was among 
the western spurs of the Alps, where exists 
a series of secluded vales inhabited by an 
industrious and primitive population, and 
where the great apostle to the Gentiles 
had, it was said, converted many to the 
truth. Here, therefore, he would receive a 
welcome froni many brethren in the faith, 
and be the means of aiding and supporting 
them, and yet further extending among 
the surrounding people the blessings of 
Christianity. 



1 84 yovinian. 

Instead of travelling by land — a long 
and tedious journey, with many steep and 
rugged passes to traverse — he determined 
to embark at Ostia^ from whence a pleasant 
voyage over the waters of the Mediter- 
ranean of three or four days, should the 
wind prove favourable, would enable him 
to reach the port at which he hoped to 
disembark. 

Jovinian, on hearing his plans, entreated 
that he might be permitted to accompany 
him, although Amulius had offered the 
youth a home, should he have desired to 
remain in Rome and continue his studies. 
Severus gladly accepted Jovinian's offer to 
bear him company. 

" I would not willingly have parted from 
you, my son," he said, " although I wished 
to leave you free to follow the bent of 
your own inclination. I will also gladly 
assist 'you in the studies which you may 
desire to pursue." 

Jovinian expressed his thanks — his only 
fear being that his uncle Gaius might at- 
tempt to detain him. He was aware that 
the pontiff, being his nearest relative, had 



Departure from Rome, 1 85 

some legal claim over him ; and he knew 
too well also, even had such not been the 
case, that might often prevailed over right 
in Rome, as elsewhere. It was therefore 
settled that he should pass the time before 
the commencement of the journey with 
Severus and his family. 

During their stay news reached the 
party in the catacombs of the events which 
had taken place at Rome : of the pontiffs' 
last unsuccessful effort to promote the 
cause of paganism ; of the escape of the 
vestal Ccelia ; and of the strange and 
almost incredible report that Coecus him- 
self had declared his readiness to embrace 
Christianity. 

" Then the pontiff has already com- 
menced his project for destroying the true 
faith which I heard discussed," observed 
Jovinian to Severus. 

" Would that we could warn our Chris- 
tian friends not to trust him ! They might 
influence a few ; but I fear that the multi- 
tude would rather confide in one who will 
ever be ready to pander to their tastes 
than in those who have their true interest 



1 86 yovinian. 

at heart," answered Severus. "We must 
use every effort, however; and Amulius 
and other faithful friends will, I trust, not 
be deceived." 

Then came further news from Byzan- 
tium. The emperor, although not baptized, 
had given undoubted proof of his desire 
to be considered a Christian. He had 
held conferences with Christian bishops 
and presbyters, and had issued decrees 
bestowing rank and dignity on numerous 
bishops. It was said that he intended 
dividing the empire into four ecclesiastical 
departments, after the model of the several 
civil divisions. Thus there were to be four 
prefectures, containing thirteen dioceses, 
which embraced one hundred and sixteen 
provinces. Over these ecclesiastical officers 
were to preside, bearing the titles of patri- 
archs, metropolitans or archbishops, and 
simple bishops, — dignified titles hitherto 
unknown in the Christian Church. One 
chief object of the emperor in thus be- 
stowing rank and wealth on the Christian 
ministers was to obtain their assistance in 
governing the State by means of the 



Departure from Rome. 187 

religious sentiment or superstition of the 
people. The Christians had hitherto been 
the most docile and loyal of his subjects, 
as their faith inculcated implicit obedience 
to magistrates and all established autho- 
rities. His successors were to find that 
the semi-paganism which he had established 
under the name of Christianity had no 
such effect on the minds of their subjects, 
and that they were as ready to take up 
arms and resort to force whenever their 
passions were aroused as the heathens had 
been. 

These, and other events of a similar 
character, confirmed Severus in his resolu- 
tion to quit the country. 

At length the day he was free to depart 
arrived. Amulius had made^ all the 
necessary prepariation. Three " petorritas " 
— the ordinary carriages at that time in use 
— drawn by mules, arrived at a convenient 
spot near the entrance to the galleries. 
Two litters also came — their occupants 
remaining concealed within. Amulius and 
several friends, who had come to bid 
Severus and his family farewell, stepped 



1 88 • yovinian. 

out of the petorritas. Garments and several 
necessary articles had been purchased by 
Amulius for the use of the family, and these 
were already packed in the carriages. The 
faithful Rufina was to return to her master, 
but remained to the last with those whom 
she, had so essentially served. Severus led 
forth his wife, and Jovinian followed with 
Julia. 

They were about to enter one of the 
carriages, when Amulius remarked, "We 
have brought two other travellers who are 
desirous of accompanying you." On going 
to the litters he handed out two females 
habited in the ordinary dress of Roman 
ladies. 

Jovinian at once recognised in one of 
them, although their heads were veiled, the 
vestal Marcia. As those around him were 
all of the faithful, there was no necessity for 
concealment. 

The other lady was introduced by Marcia, 
— she was Coelia, whose life she had been 
the means of preserving. Marcia now ex- 
plained that she and another vestal, who 
had also become a Christian, and was 



Departure from Rome. 1 89 

particularly attached to Coelia, had been 
placed by Fausta in charge of the prisoner, 
and that, having taken her place, she had 
allowed her to escape, aided by Chris- 
tian friends, who had been watching 
outside the temple. They were under the 
guidance of Eros — he having, with the ever- 
active Rufina, been the means of perfecting 
the plan for her release. "The unhappy 
Vestalis Maxima," she added, "when on 
her return to the temple «he discovered that 
so many of those under her rule had become 
Christians that the sacred fire itself had 
been allowed to go out, ^nd that even 
Coecus, as she supposed, had deserted the 
ancient faith, stabbed herself in despair.'* 

Just as Jovinian was stepping into the 
petorrita he found his hand grasped. Look- 
ing up, he saw Eros, 

" I am to accompany you with the other 
runners on foot," he said, "and I have a 
favour to ask : it is that you will entreat 
Severus to allow me to go with you, for 
Rome is no place for me, and I will gladly 
serve him faithfully without wages," 

Jovinian willingly promised to do what 



192 yovinian. 

about the matter, and had, with the permis- 
sion of the master of the Dolphin^ gone on 
board,and obtained concealment in the hold. 
It might have been wise in Jovinian to have 
followed his example — at all events to have 
lived on board the vessel until his friends 
were ready to embark. Instead of that he 
went everywhere about the town with them, 
and attended public worship. They were 
to go on board early in the morning, and 
to sail as soon as the tide was high enough 
to enable the Dolphin to cross over the bar. 
Many of the principal Christians in Ostia 
accompanied the party down to the place 
of embarkation, where a boat was waiting 
to convey them on board the Dolphin^ which 
lay with her sails loose out in the stream. 

Severus, with his wife, and Marcia and 
Coelia, had already taken their seats ; and 
Jovinian, who had walked down by the side 
of Julia, was on the point of assisting her 
on board, when he felt his arm seized, and a 
man in the dress of an emissary of the law 
exhibited an official document before his 
eyes. " You are, young sir, still a minor ; 
your uncle Gaius claims you as his ward ; 



Departure from Rome. 193 

resistance is vain, for I can summon those 
who would compel you to obey," said the 
officer. 

Julia clung to Jovinian's other arm. "Oh, 
come, come ] " she whispered : " he cannot 
detain you, and the boat will in an instant 
be away from the shore." 

Jovinian felt greatly inclined to follow 
this hint. As he was strong and active, ty 
a strenuous effort he might shake himself 
free from the officer's grasp. It was a great 
trial to him. Severus, whose attention 
had been called to what was occurring, 
stepped forward at once to his assistance ; 
but the officer, fearing that a rescue was in- 
tended, summoned his attendants, dragged 
Jovinian from the strand, and delivered him 
to them. His numerous Christian friends 
could not, on principle, resist the law under 
which the officer professed to be acting. 

In vain Julia entreated Jovinian to re- 
turn to the boat ; he was too securely held 
to make his escape. The mariners were 
anxious to sail, and not to lose the advan- 
tage of the wind and tide. 

Severus had but a short time to speak a 

13 



194 yovinian. 

few words to his young friend. " The law 
must not be disobeyed," he said ; " but let 
me urge you to hold fast to the truth ; we 
Mrill pray for you and welcome you joyfully 
whenever you can quit Rome and join us." 

*' I look forward to the day when I shall 
be free, and able to hasten to wherever 
you are settled," answered Jovinian. " Your 
prayers will support me; I, too, will pray for 
myself, that I may be kept to the truth.*' 

The heathen officer could not be induced 
to allow Jovinian to exchange further fare- 
wells with his friends, being still afraid — 
seeing the number of persons around- — ^that 
an attempt might be made to rescue his 
prisoner. They did their utmost to console 
him, after the boat pushed off; but it was 
mth an aching heart that he saw the sails 
spread> and the Dolphin gliding out into the 
blue sea, which shone brightly in the rays 
of the rising sun, beyond the harbour. 

Jovinian, with a heavy heart, walked with 
the officer to the inn, where the vehicle was 
waiting which was to convey him back to 
Rome. The blow he had received was so 
sudden that he could not for some time 



Departure from Rome. 195 

recover from it. He had been looking for- 
ward to days of happiness in the company 
of Julia and her parents, when his faith 
would have been strengthened, and he 
would have been able to profit by the 
guidance and instruction of Severus. He 
was now, once more, he supposed, to be 
exposed to the importunities of his uncle 
to turn idolater ; and although he trusted 
that he should not be moved, it would be 
painful to be continually engaged in con- 
troversies with his relative. From the 
treatment he had before received, he was 
not much afraid that force would be used ; 
at the same time he could not tell to what 
devices Gaius might resort to influence him. 
He fervently prayed that he might have 
strength to resist them. 

On reaching the inn, the officer desired 
him to enter the petorrita which stood with 
the horses put to, before the door, and then 
took a seat by his side. The driver urging 
on his steeds, the carriage moved forward, 
the officials in attendance, with their gar- 
ments girt about them, following rapidly on 
foot. The road, worn by the heavy waggons 



196 Jovinian. 

passing along it, was in several places full 
Qi ruts and holes, over which the vehicle 
went jolting on, the driver caring very little 
for the shaking his passengers were receiv- 
ing. No stoppages were made, as the officer 
had been directed to return without delay 
to Rome. At length the Appian way — ^the 
high road between the capital and the south 
— was reached, when the carriage moved on 
more smoothly. They now passed between 
numerous sepulchres, — monuments erected 
on both sides the road, in which the ashes of 
many generations of the noble dead reposed. 
Jovinian recognised more than one in 
which his own heathen ancestors were in- 
terred. A feeling of gratitude to heaven 
rose to his heart at the thought that his 
own beloved mother had accepted the 
truth in her early youth, and that he had 
been born under the full light of the Gospel. 
Several large buildings were passed — that 
of the sanctuary of Mars, as it was called, be- 
yond the city, within whose walls criminals 
flying from justice could obtain safety. The 
carriage then, passing under one of those 
vast structures of masonry erected to carry 



Departure frmn Rome, 197 

water into the city, enteied Rome hy the 
Porta Caperia. The vdiicle could now 
proceed but slowly, as obstacles of all sorts 
occurred every moment. Sometimes a 
large waggon conveying building materials 
stopped the way. The streets were also 
blocked up by the booths of hucksters, 
butchers, vintners, pastrycooks, and ven- 
dors of articles of all descriptions. Some of 
the passengers of the lower orders amused 
themselves by jeering at the young occupant 
of the carriage, when they recognised the 
officer of the law, and suggested that he 
was probably some Thespio who had been 
robbing his master, or filching the goods 
from the stalls. Egyptian jugglers were 
performing their wonderful tricks, allowing 
the most venomous snakes to wind them- 
selves round their arms and necks, — ^the 
crowd which had collected around them 
showing no inclination to make way for the 
carriage. Here also could be seen boys 
selling sulphur matches, others carrying 
huge basins of boiled pease, a dish of 
which they dispensed to the poorest classes 
for the smallest coin. 



198 yovinian. 

As they entered the city Jovinian was 
much struck by observing masons dis- 
mantling two or three of the smaller 
heathen temples, which had been held in 
but slight consideration — mules and carts 
being engaged in carrying oflf the materials. 

In their places new edifices were in course 
of erection, the beams and stones being 
wound aloft by cranes fixed on the summit 
of the portions already erected. It appeared 
to him that there was much more life and 
bustle in the city than he had ever before ob- 
served ; but his silent custodian would afford 
him no information on the subject. "That 
is not my business," he answered, when 
Jovinian asked a question ; " your uncle 
Gaius will inform you all about the matter, 
young mao." 

Jovinian had expected to drive up to the 
college of the pontiffs ; but before reaching 
it the carriage turned off to the left, and 
stopped at a mansion under the Palatine. 
hilL As it drew up before the ostium — ^the 
entrance to the house — two slaves came 
forth, whose countenances Jovinian did not 
recognise. They seemed, however, to ex- 



Departure front Rome. 199 

pect him, and the officer, without hesitation, 
delivered him into their hands, following, 
as they conducted him through the atrium 
into an inner court, in a small room at the 
side of whidi he saw his uncle reclining. 
Several books were on tfie table before him. 
Gaius rose, and put out his hand to receive 
his nephew, his countenance exhibiting no 
sign of anger. The officer, having formally 
delivered his charge into the hands of Gaius, 
retired, and the uncle and nephew were left 
alone. 

^"And so you would have deserted me, 
your only relative, and followed the for- 
tunes of strangers } " said Gaius, in a 
half-pathetic, half-comic tone, but which 
certainly exhibited not the slightest feeling 
of resentment. 

" I escaped from you, my uncle, because 
you desired me to embrace a faith I abhor ; 
and although I have now been brought 
back, I shall be still, I trust, withheld from 
following your counsels." 

**Ah! that is a matter which troubles me : 
I am thankful I did not succeed,'^ exclaimed 
Gaius, in the same tone as before ; " I have 



200 ^ovintan. 

seen that the system of idolatry is rotten, 
since the emperor and other good men have 
deserted it ; and I wish to be instructed in 
the doctrines of the faith you hold." 

Jovinian was struck, as he well might be, 
with astonishment at hearing this, although 
he did not express his feelings. As he 
gazed steadily at the countenance of Gaius, 
he thought that he detected a twinkle in his 
eye which much belied his assertion. '* I 
would thankfully be the means of bringing 
you to a knowledge of the truth," he said at 
length, " but God alone can enlighten your 
mind." 

"Well, well, all I require you to do is 
to instruct me in the articles of your belief, 
and in the forms of your worship, and I 
may hope in a few weeks to make a very 
respectable appearance as a Christian ; and 
if you prove an intelligent tutor I will allow 
you all the liberty you may desire. You 
can visit our relative, the presbyter Amu- 
lius, or any other friend you may desire to 
see, and report to them the progress I 
am making." 

" What, my uncle, are you really serious 



Departure from Rome. 201 

in your wish to become a Christian ? " 
asked Jovinian, who had not forgotten the 
discussion he had overheard among the 
pontiffs, although he felt it would not be 
prudent to let his uncle know that he had 
been an eavesdropper on the occasion. 

**Of course I am," answered Gaius. 
"Surely the religion which the emperor 
adopts must be one we must all desire to 
follow." 

Jovinian sighed ; he knew the truth too 
well to be deceived by his uncle's remark, 
and he felt that, even should Gaius have 
some faint wish to become a Christian, 
he was very far as yet from the kingdom 
of heaven. He resolved, however, to do 
what he conceived to be his duty, and to 
instruct Gaius as far as he was able in 
the principles of Christianity. He judged 
it wise not to complain of being dragged 
away from his friends — supposing his uncle 
had a legal power to act as he had done — 
and he hoped when his services were no 
longer required that he should be allowed 
to rejoin Severus. 



^iKj^tx XV. 

JOVINIAN AND HIS UNCLE. 

J O VI N I AN was treated with much 
kindness, and allowed all the liberty 

he desired— being permitted to visit 
Amulius and the few other friends he 
possessed. He still had doubts of his 
uncle's sincerity. He could not forget the 
scheme proposed by Ccecus; and Gaius 
might desire to take the step he proposed 
for the sole object of forwarding it 

Still, the, temptations to join the religion 
professed by the emperor were great. It 
might pave the way to honour and wealth. 
Although many doubted that the emperor 
was really a Christian, the edicts he had 
issued showed that he was influenced by 
Christian counsellors. Among them were 
those for the abolition of the punishment 
by crucifixion, the encouragement of the 



Jovinian and his Uncle. 203 

emancipation of slaves, the prohibition of 
gladiatorial games, and the discourage- 
ment of infanticide. 

Another edict ordered the use of prayers 
for the army ; but that to which perhaps 
even the idolaters least objected was one 
for the observance of the Sabbath through- 
out all the cities and towns in the empire. 
The Christians, however, were greatly 
puzzled when they found it designated 
as "Dies solis," or Sunday; and it was 
supposed, not without justice, that the 
emperor selected that title in consequence 
of his lingering affectioti towards the 
worship of the sun, to which he had, in 
former times, been addicted. The other 
days in the week were, to please the 
idolaters, called after the names of the 
various gods, and especially dedicated to 
them. The second day was Luna's day, 
sacred to the moon ; the next was Mer- 
cury's day ; while Jupiter and Venus had 
also their days ; so that the populace were 
still kept in remembrance of their ancient 
gods and goddesses, although they were 
professedly Christians. 



204 Jovinian. 

Jovinian found it no easy task to in- 
struct his uncle in the truths of Christianity. 
Gains readily understood and remembered 
the facts mentioned in the Bible; but he 
appeared utterly unable to comprehend 
their spiritual meaning, although he lis- 
tened to all his nephew said. 

*' How is it that I see so many sects and 
divisions among those who call themselves 
Christians ? " he asked : " bishops, presby- 
ters, and people in one place quarrelling and 
disputing with those in another. I hear of 
Athanasius and Miletius, Eusebius, Arius, 
and numberless other heads of your sects, 
condemning each other, — the one party re- 
fusing to hold communion with the other, 
while both profess to serve the same Lord, 
whom you call Christ. Now look at the 
system of religion which has prevailed 
undisturbed for centuries in Rome. We 
have had no quarrels or disputes, and 
all have submitted implicitly to us, their 
^pontiffs, the directors of their rites and 
ceremonies. Our men and women have 
been at liberty to worship the gods and 
goddesses they have preferred. We have 



Jovinian and his Uncle. 205 

added new demigods as occasion required, 
nor did we refuse to place the divinities of 
other nations in the Pantheon, whenever 
they could prove a good title to the honour. 
We have raised our emperors after death, 
however little we may have loved them 
in their lifetime, to the same advanced 
rank, I 'do not say that the religion in 
which you are attempting to instruct me 
may not prove in the end the best, 
especially as it has been adopted by the 
emperor; but you must. acknowledge that 
the worship of the immortal gods has the 
advantage of antiquity to recommend it, 
and that under it Rome became great 
and powerful, and conquered the world." 

Jovinian was puzzled how to answer 
some of these objections. He could not 
deny that disputes raged furiously among 
the Christian churches, especially in the 
East, and that many of the bishops seemed 
more intent on increasing their worldly 
wealth and dignity than on spreading the 
Gospel. In regard to the immortal gods, 
he asked his uncle whether he had ever 
seriously believed in their existence, or 



206 y§vinian. 

had the slightest authority for supposing 
that they were other than creatures of the 
imagination ? 

"Well, well, — as to that, the people 
believed in them, and we, the directors 
of their religious rites, have reaped the 
benefit of their superstition," answered 
Gaius. 

"But you must acknowledge," said 
Jovinian, *'that idolatry has debased the 
people with its numberless obscene and 
cruel rites, that the consciences of its 
votaries have become scathed, and have 
allowed them to indulge in the grossest 
crimes without shame or remorse. Now, 
on the contrary, while we acknowledge 
that we are vile and sinful beings, utterly 
unfit to enjoy a pure and holy heaven, yet 
we know that God has provided a way 
by which we can be made pure and holy, 
have our sins put away and forgiven, at 
the same time that we are bound to strive 
to imitate our Saviour, and to live pure 
and holy lives, free from the rebuke of a 
rude and perverse generation.'* 

" That may be," answered Gaius ; " but I 



yovinian and his Uncle. 207 

wish to have the cause of these dissensions 
of which I hear explained to me, that I 
may decide whether I shall join Athanasius, 
Miletius, Arius, or any other party." 

Jovinian hastened to consult Amulius 
how he should reply to Gaius. 

" Remember that the apostles have told 
us that from the first these dissensions have 
existed among those calling themselves 
Christians," answered the presbyter. *' In- 

* 

stead of becoming ' as little children,' and 
submitting themselves to the teaching of 
the Holy Spirit through God's written 
Word, they bring their crude philosophy, 
their pride of intellect, their passions, their 
lust of power and wealth, into the creeds 
they endeavour to form. Most of them, it 
IS true, profess to be gfuided by the Holy 
Spirit; but they act like a person who 
invites a charioteer to drive his horses, and 
then seizes the reins and turns them in 
any direction he may please. I have long 
watched the fearful struggle going on 
between the Prince of this world, the real 
supporter of idolatry, and the true faith 
as it is in Christ ; and the signs I have 



2o8 Jomnian. 

•\ 

observed too surely warn me that the 
former will triumph, 

"Although the emperor professes to be 
a Christian, all his acts show that the 
mists of heathen darkness have not been 
dispelled from his mind, and that the en- 
couragement he affords nominally to the 
Christians is fraught with the greatest 
danger to the true Church of Christ. 
Here in Rome, especially, I apprehend 
the worst. As you well know, the Romans 
are more wedded to idolatry than the in- 
habitants of any other city in the Empire. 
They still cling to it, notwithstanding the 
favour shown by the emperor to the 
Christian Church. 

" The emperor, who is resolved to have 
uniformity of faith, and to make all his 
subjects Christians if he can, will not fail 
to offer such bribes as are not likely to 
be refused by the heathen leaders. Still, 
though he may wish to encourage the 
Christians in Rome, he has no affection for 
Rome itself, and would gladly forget that 
such a city exists, for it was here that some 
of his darkest crimes were committed. 



Jovinian and his Uncle. 209 

"Here also he was insulted by the 
idolatrous Romans in a way he can never 
forget. I was a witness of the scene. 
Soon after his arrival a magnificent cere- 
mony was held to celebrate the Battle of 
Regillus, when, as the idolaters believe, 
tlie twin gods Castor and Pollux, having 
fought for Rome, galloped on their fleet 
steeds to bring the glad tidings to the city. 
The aim of the idolaters was to surpass 
all previous anniversaries. The temples 
were lighted up, and decorated as usual, 
victims smoked on every altar, and all the 
members of the equestrian order, num- 
bering five thousand horsemen, clothed in 
purple, and crowned with olive-leaves, rode 
in state to the Forum. It was altogether 
one of the most splendid pageants ever 
seen at Rome; and it was supposed that 
Constantine would take part, as previous 
emperors had done, in the religious rites 
usual on the occasion. But this he posi- 
tively refused to do, and it was reported 
that he openly indulged in his sarcastic 
humour, by jeering at the sham knights 
and the empty pomp he beheld while 

14 



2IO yovinian. 

» 

watching the procession in the distance 
from his palace. 

"I can see him now, — ^his countenance 
handsome, his figure tall, although some- 
what stout and broad-shouldered, — and 
his whole appearance betokening sturdy- 
health and vigour. His eye had a peculiar 
brightness, such as few men's possess, and 
I especially noted it when it assumed, as 
it did several times, a glare which could 
not £ail to remind me of that of a lion; 
while, as he uttered his remarks, he threw 
back his head, bringing out the full pro- 
portions of his thick neck. Rough and 
unrefined in appearance, his voice was 
remarkable for its gentleness and softness. 
In those days he had not assumed, as is 
now the case, that splendour of costume 
which he has copied from the princes of 
the East He carried simply a spear in 
his hand, as an insignia of his office, and 
to ^how that by the spear he had won and 
intended to keep his Empire. Since then, 
I hear that he never goes abroad without 
a helmet bound round with an oriental 
diadem studded with jewels, that his robe 



Jovinian and his Uncle. 2\i 

is a purple silk richly embroidered with 
pearls and flowers worked in gold^ while 
he wears wigs of false hair of various 
colours, a short beard ornamenting his 
chin. On this occasion he appeared simply 
as a victorious general His refusal to 
join in the religious ceremonies usual oa 
the occasion so displeased the turbulent 
populace that they threatened vengeance 
of all sorts. Some of the most evil dis- 
posed proposed to attack the Christians 
at whose instigation it was supposed the 
emperor had acted ; others dared even to 
throw stones at the head of his statue. 

"When a courtier rushed in, bringing 
news of the outrage, he smiled, and pass- 
ing his hand over his face, observed, — 
'Truly it is surprising, but I feel not in 
the least hurt ; nothing do I find amiss in 
my head, nothing in my face.' Although 
he had thus received the news so calmly, 
it created a disgust in his mind, both 
against the city and religion of Rome, 
which he has never overcome ; and to this 
day he speaks of Rome — alas ! with too 
much justice — as an ' idolatrous and aban- 



212 Jovinian. 

doned city.' In spite of the wealth and 
influence of our bishop, our numbers, 
compared to that of the population, have 
continued to be small ; and had it not 
been for the refuge afforded by the sub- 
terranean galleries outside the city, the 
church in Rome during the days of perse- 
cution would have been extinguished." 

Jovinian was allowed to pursue his 
studies at home under such tutors as 
Amulius recommended. 

Many months thus passed away, faster 
than he could have supposed possible. 

Gaius now treated his nephew with 
apparently perfect confidence, speaking 
unreservedly to him on matters of all 
sorts. 

Jovinian thus heard much more of what 
was going on than he otherwise plrobably 
would have done. He found that both 
Gaius and Coecus — although professedly 
Christians,' as were some of the other 
pontiffs — ^visited the college frequently, on 
which occasions discussions were held with 
closed doors. So great at length became 
th^ confidence which Gaius reposed in his 



Jovinian and his Uncle. 213 

nephew, that he invited him frequently to 
attend these meetings,— extracting a pro- 
mise, however, that he would not divulge 
what he heard. On these occasions the 
pontiffs discussed the plans that had been 
proposed for maintaining their rank and 
position in Rome. Those who professed 
to have become Christians appeared to be, 
and evidently were, on most friendly terms 
with the idolaters-, all being united by a 
common interest. Their great object was 
to .maintain their college in its integrity. 

''We may thus," observed Coecus one 
day, when visiting Gaius, " by keeping up 
our influence over the mass of the people, 
secure the election of the candidate of 
whom we approve to the office of bishop 
or any other dignities of the Church. We 
may select some of our own brethren, or 
any other persons whom we deem suit- 
able." 

The plan was universally approved of. 
Its fruit was to be observed in after years, 
when the bishops of Rome found them- 
selves controlled by the college of cardi- 
nals, the successors of the pontiffs. 



214 yovinian. 

Christianity appeared to be making 
great progress in Rome. Several new 
churches and basilicas were in course of 
erection, and even some of the heathen 
temples were being converted so as to suit 
the worship of the Christians. 

The idolaters generally, however, ob- 
jected to allow their temples to be so 
employed. Jovinian was greatly struck 
by the appearance of the statues which 
adorned the new places of worship, and 
he recognised among them some whidi 
had undoubtedly been heathen idols. In 
several of the churches were statues re- 
presenting the virgin Mary, which had 
previously acted the parts of Isis, Juno, 
Venus, or some other goddess ; and he 
could not help remarking that by far the 
larger number of worshippers bent before 
these statues and offered them the same 
respect which they had been accustomed 
to pay to the heathen goddesses. Among 
those who met at the college of pontiffs 
was a visitor who had come from a coU^e 
long established at Mount Carmel, where 
students in the Babylonian worship were 



^ yovinian and his Uncle. 215 

instructed: he was said to be learned in 
magical science. He spoke, however, of his 
admiration of the Christian faith, and came, 
it appeared, to discuss with Gcecus and 
the other pontiffs the possibility of uniting 
it to the ancient faith without ofifending 
the followers of the latter. The idolaters 
seemed so completely in favour of this pro- 
posal that Ccecus expressed his confidence 
that it would succeed. 

Jovinian was sick at heart at all he saw. 
His uncle Gaius, although he had obtained 
the rank of a presbyter, was too evidently 
no nearer the truth than he was before. 
Idolatry still prevailed in all directions. 
In few places of Christian worship was the 
truth faithfully preached. Even Amulius 
appeared to be going with the stream, or, 
at all events^ to be making but slight efforts 
to stem it " I, too, shall be carried away 
if I remain," said Jovinian to himself; " it 
is a sin to expose myself to temptation.'* 

The bishop, who had long been at the 
head of the Church, died, and another 
was elected whose character was but littie 
known, although Jovinian observed that 



2l6 Jovinian. 

Coecus, Gaius, and other pontiffs were very 
active in his election. He had not long 
been seated in the episcopal chair when he, 
too, died ; and soon after news came that 
the emperor had expired. He had received 
the rite of baptism on his death-bed ; but 
it was evident that he was not of Qirist 
when it became known that he had ex- 
pressed his belief that his brothers had. 
poisoned him, and had chatiged his son, 
Constantius, to put them and their off- 
spring to death, — a charge too faithfully 
fulfilled. 

He was preparing for an expedition 
against Persia when sickness overtook him. 
Feeling that it was mortal, he desired to 
be baptized — a step he had hitherto not 
taken, although he had for years presided 
at councils and preached to his people, 
and even been designated as the '' Bishop 
of bishops." He was received as a cate- 
chumen in the church of Heliopolis ; he 
then moved to his palace in the suburbs 
of Nicomedia, when, calling Eusebius and 
several other bishops around him, he de- 
sired to have the rite administered. Here, 



yovinian and his Uncle. 217 

having laid aside his purple robes^ he was 
habited in white, and thus, stretched on his 
death-bed, he received baptism from the 
hands of Eusebius. One of his last acts was 
to recall Athanasius, a rival of Eusebius, 
who had been banished. Thus, with calm- 
ness and dignity, he awaited death. His 
last will he gave into the custody of his 
chaplain Eustiocius, to be delivered to his 
eldest son, Constantius, who was now 
absent ; and on the 22nd of May, in the 
sixty-fourth year of his age, after a reign 
of thirty years, he expired. His body was 
conveyed in a cofBn of gold to Constan- 
tinople, where it lay three months in state, 
with lights burning around and guards 
watching. On Eustiocius exhibiting the 
will to the bishops of Nicomedia, so 
alarmed were they at the contents that 
they placed it for security in the hands of 
the dead man, there to remain until Con- 
stantius should appear to receive it# When 
hii$ eldest son arrived and read the docu- 
ment, he found that the emperor expressed 
in it his conviction that he had been 
poisoned by his brothers and their chil- 



2i8 Jovinian. 

dren, and he called — so it was expressed — 
on Constantius to avenge his death. This 
fact alone proves, that whatever amount of 
Christian knowledge the emperor might 
have possessed, he had not understood its 
chief principles, at all events. Constantius 
faithfully fulfilled his father's d3ang bequest 
by the massacre of his uncles and their 
offspring, amounting to no less than 
six persons, two alone escaping. 

The idolatrous population of Rome, 
when the tidings reached them, ignorii^ 
the fact of his having professed himself a 
Christian, resolved to regard the deceased 
emperor as one in the series of Caesars. A 
picture of his apotheosis was exhibited. 
Festivals were instituted in his honour. 
He was enrolled, as had been his pre- 
decessors, whatever their character, among 
the gods of Olympus, and incense was 
offered before his statues. Hie true 
Christians in Rome mourned at what took 
place, but their influence was weak com- 
pared to that of the idolaters, supported as 
the latter were evidently by many who 
had professed to embrace the new faith. 



Jovinian and his Uncu. 219 

Jovinian resolved no longer to remain in 
Rome, but to join, as soon as possible, 
his friend Severus, who, with his wife and 
daughter, were anxiously, they wrote word, 
looking for his arrival. To Jovinian's 
surprise, Gaius offered no objection. *' Go 
and dwell with those of like mind with 
yourself; you are too honest for us 
Romans, and will never, I see, make a 
figure either in the Church or State. Men, 
to succeed here, must regard all creeds 
alike ; supple courtiers, who are hampered 
by no ideas of honour or integrity, but 
know the importance of filling their coffers 
while the sun shines. You, Jovinian, will 
die a poor and unknown man if you remain 
in Rome, whereas in some country district, 
should you enter the Church, you may rise 
to the dignity of a presbyter," — ^and Gaius 
laughed ironically. " Farewell, my nephew; 
we have disputed occasionally, but remem- 
bering that you are the only child of my 
poor sister Livia, I have always had the 
truest regard for you.'* 

Jovinian, feeling that it was his duty, 
was about once more to place the simple 



220 yovinian. 

truths of the Gospel before his uncle, and 
to entreat him to accept them. 

"Cease, cease! my good nephew," ex- 
claimed Gains. " I settled that matter in 
my own mind long ago, wheil I resolved on 
the course I am taking. I intend to enjoy 
the good things of this life while I can 
obtain them, and leave the affairs of the 
future to take care of themselves." 

Farewell visits were paid to Amulius 
and others, who sent brotherly greetings 
to Severus ; and Jovinian, bidding adieu, 
as he thought it probable, for ever to 
Rome, set out on his journey northward. 



Cl^agter XVI. 

THE JOURNEY — THE FIRST INTRODUC- 
TION OF MONASTERIES INTO ITALY. 

JOVINIAN had settled to proceed by 
land instead of going by sea to Genoa, 
as Severus had done. Amulius and several 
other persons in Rome wished to make 
him the bearer of letters to various Chris- 
tian friends residing in different parts on 
the northern road. As no public means 
of conveyance existed in those days, it 
was customary to send epistles either by 
the hand of special messengers or by those 
travellers proceeding in the desired direc- 
tion. Jovinian would thus enjoy the bene- 
fits of finding a house to rest at, and a kind 
greeting at many of his stages. At some 
places he would, however, have to stop at a 
roadside inn, or at the hut of a peasant. 
His attendant, Largus, rode alongside him, 



222 Jovinian. 

leading a mule which carried their bag- 
gage, among which were books for his own 
use and others to be presented to Severus. 

Neither Jovinian nor Largus carried 
arms. Any attempt to defend themselves 
against robbers would be useless, for should 
such make an attack on them, they would 
do so in overwhelming numbers ; while 
bears and wolves were not likely to be met 
with in the regions through which they 
were to pass. 

The road for the first part of the way 
was tolerably level, so that good progress 
was made. Etruria, with its ancient temples 
and shrines of the gods, to the worship of 
whom the people still tenaciously clung, 
was traversed. Then, after crossing the 
Amis — near the town of Pis^, where a day 
was spent with Christian friends — a more 
mountainous region was entered near 
Luca. Now the road led along the sides 
of the lofty Apennines, towards Liguria. 
Jovinian had relieved his mind by deliver- 
ing most of his letters, and as from a 
height he had ascended he beheld the 
Cottian Alps, their lofty peaks capped 



The Journey. 223 

with snow^ he anticipated a happy tenmna- 
tion to his journey. But he had still many 
rugged mountain passes to traverse. The 
day was drawing to a close^ and neither he 
nor Largus were certain where they would 
find shelter for the night Rugged and 
precipitous rocks rose up on the right 
hand, while on the left yawned deep 
chasms, unfathomable to the eye. The 
stones, as they slipped beneath the hocses' 
feet, went bounding down until the sound 
died away in the depths below. To pro- 
ceed faster than they were going was im- 
possible without the risk of falling over the 
precipices, but ,the path was descending ; 
and at last a gorge was reached, the sides 
so lofty that it appeared as if the sun could 
never penetrate to the bottom. 

** Surely no human beings can fix then- 
habitations in such a spot as this, and we 
shall have to pass the night under the blue 
vault of heaven," observed Jovinian. 

"We must push on, and find our way 
out of it before darkness sets in," answered 
Largus. 

Just as he spoke some figures were seen 



224 Jovinian. 

descending from the heights above, leaping 
from rock to rock. They made their way 
towards the travellers. 

•'Who can they be ? " asked Jovinian. 

*' I do not like their looks ; if they are 
honest I shall be very much surprised," 
said Largus. 

The two travellers did not attempt to 
alter their pace, seeing that they could not 
escape by flight. No shafts were aimed at 
them, and in a short time they found them- 
selves surrounded by a party of armed 
men, with unkempt hair, long beards, and 
soil-stained garments, which showed the 
wild life they were accustomed to lead. 

"Who are. you, and where are you 
going ? " asked the leader of the robbers — 
for such it was very evident they were. 
He drew a dagger as he spoke, and held 
it ready to strike Jovinian. 

" We are simple travellers, carrying but 
few articles which you would deem of value 
— our necessary garments and some 
books,'* answered Jovinian. 

" And what about your money } " asked 
the robber, laughing ; " that is of more 



Ihe Journey. 225 

consequence to us than the articles you 
mention ; however, we will not stop here. 
You must spend a night with us. You 
cannot reach any human abode before 
dark, and we will take the opportunity of 
looking into these matters." 

Jovinian and Largus could only comply, 
and, attended by the robbers, they pro- 
ceeded in the direction in which they were 
before going. They were soon out of the 
gorge, and entered a region even more 
wild and barren than the one they had 
left. 

Black rocks lay scattered about, amid 
which a rapid stream hissed and roared 
along through a narrow bed. Further off, 
on the other side of a broad valley, rose 
precipitous cliffs, rent by the convulsions 
of Nature, which had formed dark gorges 
between them. In some places the mouths 
of gloomy cavernsv could be distinguished 
in the sides of the cliffs— fit abodes for 
wild beasts, or lawless men such as those 
into whose power the travellers had fallen. 
Towards one of these caves the robbers 
were conducting theii' captives, when 

15 



226 yovinian. 

suddenly from behind a rock a person 
started forth, whom Jovinian, from his 
strange appearance, took to be ^ madman 
or some being possessed of an evil spirit, 
driven from the haunts of men. His dress, 
of coarse texture, stained with dirt, hung 
in rags and tatters about him, exposing a 
hair garment, worn next his skin. His 
person was emaciated in the extreme, his 
hair cut close, his head and neck sprinkled 
with ashes. He waved about him a staff, 
which he carried in his hand. 

" What are ye about, ye men of vio- 
lence.^" he exclaimed, pointing his staff 
at the robbers. " Begone ! fly ! or be pre- 
pared for the vengeance of one who knows 
how to protect the innocent 1 " 

The robbers drew back, trembling witii 
fear ; and as the recluse — ^for such he was — 
continued waving his staff, they took 
fairly to flight, and left Jovinian and 
Largus to pursue their way with their 
mules and baggage. 

Jovinian, as he now observed the strange 
being to whom he was so much indebted, 
was reminded of those heathen eremites of 



The yourney. 227 

whom he had read as long existing in the 
far East, who, by self-imposed tortures, 
abstinence from the society of their kind, 
and long prayers, hoped to merit a blissful 
immortality among the shadows of the 
blessed. Wishing to thank the recluse for 
the services just rendered, he rode towards 
him. 

"You are, I judge by your appearance 
and bearing. Christians, and as such are 
welcome to rest during the coming night 
in my abode, for you can reach no other 
shelter before nightfall," said the recluse, 
without listening to Jovinian's thanks. 
*^0r, should you be moved by the holy 
life led by me and my companions, you 
shall be at liberty to take up your residence 
with us." 

Jovinian thought it wise to make no 
reply to the last part of his invitation, 
but gladly accepted the shelter offered 
him. 

"Follow me, then," said the recluse; 
and, making use of his staff to support his 
steps, he strode on over the rough ground 
before the travellers towards one of the 



228 Jovinian. 

gorges which opened out at some distance 
before them, mounting the steep sides of 
the hill at a pace with which the horses 
could hardly keep up. He stopped before 
a wooden porch built of logs, at the en- 
trance of a cavern. 

"Your steeds will find grass at the 
bottom of the gorge, and water at a rill 
which trickles out of the mountain-side; 
here no one will molest them — even those 
bold outlaws dare not approach my abode," 
said the recluse, as he signed to Jovinian 
and Largus to dismount. Fortunately the 
travellers had brought provisions, or they 
would have fared but ill on the. lentils and 
water which constituted the food of the 
recluse. Bringing water from a neigh- 
bouring rill in a large bowl, their host 
insisted on washing the ^travellers' feet — 
although not until they saw it would cause 
offence longer to refuse did they permit 
him to perform this act of humiliation^ 

As the shades bf evening drew, on, 
a voice was suddenly heard chanting a 
hyvcixi from the opposite side of the gulf. 
It was echoed by another further up, until 



The yottrney. 229 

nearly a dozen voices had joined in the 
solemn strains. 

" They are my brethren who have come^ 
here to dwell, and' devote themselves to 
calm contemplation, fasting, prayers, and 
penance," said the rfecluse. *' You shall be 
- made known to them to-morrow, and hear 
the words of heavenly wisdom taught from 
their lips." 

Jovinian and Largos made their beds by 
the aid of their saddles and horse-cloths in 
the outer porch, and were glad that they 
were not invited to enter the interior of the 
cavern. It appeared dirty in the extreme. 

Mephitic odours pervaded the air. At 
the further end was a rough cross formed 
•of wood, in front of which two palms were 
burning. They saw their host prostrate 
iimself before it, and lie at full length with 
his arms stretched out for a long period ; 
but he did not invite them to join in his 
devotions. He then rose and closed the 
intermediate door, so as to shut himself 
out from their view. Occasionally, during 
the. night, they heard the sound of a lash, 
-while groans and cries issued from the cell. 



230 yovinian. 

Suddenly, as they were just dropping off 
to sleep, they were aroused by a voice from 
within : " Begone, Mercury — I know thee 
well, and thy ever-changing form; licentious 
messenger of uncleanness, thou canst not 
deceive me ; and thou, mighty Jove, ended 
is thy reign, thy thunderbolts fall harm- 
lessly, thy lightnings cannot strike me/' 
Thus, one after the other, the heathen 
gods were addressed as if they were present 
endeavouring to win back the anchorite to 
their worship. 

At daybreak next morning their host 
roused up his guests, and invited them to 
join him in prayer. So extravagant were 
the expressions he uttered that Jovinian 
could with difiiculty retain a due com- 
posure. 

While they were breaking their fast, the 
recluse, who refused to eat, recounted to 
them numbers of miracles which he affirmed 
that he had performed, but which Jovinian 
was convinced — were he not purposely im- 
posing upon them — ^were the hallucinations 
of a disordered brain. Jovinian could not 
fail to observe in his unhappy host a vain- 



The y'ourney. 231 

glorious exaltation of self, and a spirit of 
pride combined with a false humility, which 
the system of asceticism was so calculated 
to foster. He saw, too, that this vain 
attempt to merit the favour of God arose 
from utter ignorance of God's loving and 
merciful character, that it set at nought 
Christ's finished work — His blood which 
cleanseth from all sin, — ^and was directly 
opposed to all the teaching of the Gospel. 

His host afterwards entreated Jovinian 

to remain a few days, that he might learn 

more of the mode of life and practices of 

himself and his associates. 

. " Before I can join you I must consult 

the holy volume which is my rule of faith, 

and ascertain whether your practices are 

in accordance with its precepts," answered 

Jovinian. " I have not so learned Christ, 

and I cannot believe that He wKb spent 

His ministry on earth in going about doing 

good among human beings would have 

His followers spend their lives where they 

can be of no use to any one." 

The pale brow of the anchorite flushed 
as he heard the young man speak. " Come, 



232 Jovinian. 

you may think better of my proposal ; but 
I will now take you to visit my associates." 

The tour which Jovinian made among 
the other huts rather strengthened than 
altered his first impression. The inmates, 
he observed, were profoundly ignorant of 
Christian truth ; a self-righteous ignoring 
of the righteousness of Christ prevailed 
universally among them. Some had pro- 
bably been mad when they resorted to 
their present mode of life, and others had 
produced madness by their self-inflicted 
tortures or abstinence from proper nourish- 
ment. When he spoke to them he found 
that they were far from living in brotherly 
love : jealousy and ill-will prevailed, while 
several, asserting their superior sanctity, 
accused the others of being guilty of all 
sorts of horrible crimes. 

Such was the commencement in Italy of 
the anchorite or monkish system, which 
had long existed in the East, and which 
soon spread over the western part of 
Christendom. 

Jovinian returned to the hut ; and, 
desiring Largus to saddle the horses 



The Journey. 233 

without delay, bade farewell to their 
host. 

" You will come back and join us ? " said 
the anchorite, not at all aware of the im- 
pression made on Jovinian's mind. 

" Not until I find that the system you 
are pursuing is according to God's way, 
and that I can thereby promote His honour 
and glory," was the answer. 

" Alas, alas ! " exclaimed the anchorite, 
as Jovinian and his attendant rode off; 
^'you will never gain heaven if you thus 
refuse our way of seeking it."^ 

Jovinian made no reply ; arguments were 
useless with one who appeared little better 
than a madman. 



©I^aptcr XVII. 

THE MEETING^ 

AS Jovinian and his attendant pro- 
ceeded over the rugged paths, they 
naturally looked out somewhat anxiously 
to reaching their journey's end in safety. 

For several days they were compelled to 
put up at the huts of the mountaineers^ 
and twice to seek shelter in caverns which 
it was evident had been used by other 
wa)^arers. They were now travelling over 
some of the Cottian Alps. Here the 
mountains, broken by precipices, amid 
which they had to wind their way, rose 
on every side — ^the rocky bulwarks of 
those secluded valleys towards which 
they were directing their course. Here 
crag rose above crag, enormous masses of 
rock extending into the glens beneath — 
abysses of a depth which the eye could not 



The Meeting. 235 

penetrate. Innumerable springs of water 
gushed forth from the rocks, some uniting 
and forming torrents, which dashed foam- 
ing downwards into the hollows below. 
At length, surmounting a lofty ridge, 
they looked down upon a valley which 
presented scenery of the most beautiful 
description. So completely encircled was 
it by a rocky chain of mountains, that it 
appeared as if no rough winds could ever 
disturb its tranquillity. Sparkling foun- 
tains, issuing from the sides of the hills,. 
made their way towards a bright stream 
which flowed at the bottom of the valley, 
irrigating the land in its course. The 
declivities were, clothed with trees of every 
description, among which were numbers 
bearing fruit — the mulberry, the chestnut, 
the cherry, the walnut, and others. Cot- 
tages could be seen scattered about in 
every direction, showing that this favoured 
spot was thickly inhabited. 

Here and there were dwellings of greater 
pretensions, which peeped forth from amid 
the groves. One edifice specially struck 
Jovinian : it had the form of a basilica 



236 Jovinian. 

such as those lately erected in Rome, and 
he had no doubt that it was used for 
Christian worship. No heathen temples 
were anywhere seen, although here and 
there a mass of ruins might have marked 
the spot where the shrine of an idol had 
stood. Jovinian's heart beat more joyously 
than it had done for a long time. « One of 
those residences, he was certain, must be 
the abode of Severus. Many months had 
passed since he last had heard from him, 
and a still longer period since he had been 
able to despatch a letter to his friend. 
Jovinian, therefore, ^yas not expected ; but 
his arrival would, he hoped, cause pleasure 
as well as surprise. The travellers, there- 
fore, did not spend many moments in con- 
templating the enchanting scenery spread 
out before them, but, urging on their steeds, 
-descended by a narrow pathway, leading 
from the heights they had gained through 
a deep gorge, which had to be passed 
before the' valley could be entered. From 
the first peasant they met they inquired 
the way to the house of Severus. 

" It is hard by the basilica which he has 



The Meeting. 237 

had erected for us," was the answer ; " and 
if Christians, as I know you to be, you will 
be welcomed as brethren, for so every one 
is received who comes in that character to* 
his door/' 

Already the shadows of the mountains 
were extending over the valley. They 
drew near a villa of elegant form, although 
not of costly materials; and Jovinian ob- 
served Severus walking to and fro on the 
terrace before the entrance. Throwing 
himself from his horse, Jovinian advanced 
towards his friend, who immediately recog- 
nised him, although he had grown into 
manhood since their separation. 

Hurrying forward, Severus eipbraced 
him warmly. "We did not doubt your 
faithfulness, but we feared some accident 
had happened to you, since no letter has 
reached us for a year or more," said 
Severus* "You will rejoice the hearts of 
my wife and child, who have been most 
anxious about you." 

Jovinian was soon in the presence of 
Eugenia and Julia — the latter blushing as 
she received his affectionate greeting. 



238 yoviniayu 

"I have never had cause to regret coining 
here instead of remaining at Rome/' said 
Severus. "Although I hold that we are 
bound to bravely fight the good fight of 
faith against the world, the flesh, and the 
devil— being in the world, yet not of it — I 
should have proved of far less . benefit 
to my fellow-creatures in Rome than, by 
God's grace, I have been able to be here 
by faitlifully preaching the pure Gospel, 
instructing the children, and advancing at 
the same time the temporal interests of 
the community. I have not confined my- 
self to this valley alone, but have visited 
many others surrounding it. It is with 
gratitude to our Heavenly Father I am able 
to say that not a heathen temple remains 
within them, and that the people have 
mostly, if not altogether, abandoned all 
their idolatrous practices and superstitions; 
but still there is much work to be done, as 
there ever will be while the prince of this 
world has power over the children of men ; 
and to that work, I trust, my beloved son, 
you will, from henceforth, devote yourself." 
Such was Jovinian's earnest desire. 



Tlie Meeting. 239 

It was with no small pleasure that he 
again met Eros, who greeted him with 
warrti affection. The once ignorant slave 
had become the trusted overseer of Severus' 
property, and at the same time an active 
promoter of the truth. There were two 
other persons of whom Jovinian wished to 
hear — Marcia and Coelia. 

"They are both happily married, and 
are mothers. Marcia resides at the further 
end of this valley, and Coelia in the one 
beyond, where their husbands, greatly 
aided by them, minister to the spiritual 
wants of their neighbours," was the answer. 

Jovinian, who visited them, could scarcely 
recognise in the cheerful smiling matrons 
the once unhappy vestals. 

Before long Jovinian became the husband 
of Julia; and he found in her an active help- 
mate in all his efforts for the good of the 
people among whom they had cast their 
lot. 



%gt^ XVIIL 

JOVINIAN REVISITS HIS NATIVE CITY. 

YEARS passed by ; Jovinian became a 
deacon and presbyter of the Church 
of the valleys, and, in conjunction with 
other faithful men, was the means of ex- 
tending the blessings of the Gospel among 
the inhabitants of even the most remote 
districts. No sound of the tumults which 
agitated the larger portion of the western 
empire penetrated to these remote valleys. 
The news which came from Rome was 
unsatisfactory. Revolts and cruel warfare 
had occurred in various directions. Mag- 
nentius had assumed the imperial purple. 
The tide of war had extended westward, in 
the very neighbourhood of the valleys of 
the Cottian Alps. A battle had been fought, 
when, the usurper being defeated. Con- 
stantius became sole master of the Roman 



yovinian Revisits his Native City. 241 

empire. In the council held at Milan he 
obtained the banishment of Athanasius of 
Alexandria, a bishop highly respected for his 
orthodoxy; and Arianism was once more 
in the ascendency. Christianity, by the 
accounts received, appeared to be spreading 
at Rome, but so corrupted by idolatry that 
in many respects it could scarcely be dis- 
tinguished from the old faith. At length 
Julian became master of the Roman empire, 
and, for a short time, the heathen system 
was declared to be the religion of the state. 

Many at Rome, and elsewhere, who 
had been supposed Christians, now openly 
resumed their idolatrous practices, proving 
the real character of their faith. 

By the death of Julian — who was shortly 
after succeeded by Valentinian — Christi- 
anity once more obtained the support of a 
sovereign. 

For many years Jovinian and Julia 
enjoyed uninterrupted happiness, and were 
blessed with a numerous family. 

At length Severus and Eugenia, both 
advanced in years, were taken from them, 
their places being well filled by their 

16 



242 Jovinian. 

daughter and her husband. Although 
contented with his lot, and knowing that 
he was of use in the position he filled, 
Jovinidn had for long desired to re-visit 
Rome, and asertain for himself the state 
of affairs in regard to the Church in that 
city. He hoped that he should find some 
faithful men with whom he could hold, 
brotherly intercourse, and that he might 
return to the home of his adoption with 
fresh strength and knowledge. He had 
now a son who would be able to perform 
the duties he had taken upon himself; and 
Julia so ably ruled his household that he 
could leave his home for a period without 
detriment. Although she naturally felt 
some anxiety at the thoughts of his per- 
forming so long a journey, she did not 
attempt to alter his resolution, believing 
that he would thereby benefit ^hose he was 
about to visit, and gain for himself spiritual 
strength. 

Instead of travelling by land — the fatigues 
of which he was less able to endure than 
he had been on his former journey north- 
ward — ^he decided on proceeding to the 



yovinian Revisits his Native City. 243 

nearest port at which he could embark. 
Even then he had many fatigues to endure, 
a mountainous region to traverse, and tor- 
rents to pass over. Under the providence 
of Grod, however, the port was reached in 
safety. He found a vessel on the point of 
sailing for Ostia, and, after a rapid passage, 
he landed at that town. 

He had reason to mourn the changes he 
•everywhere witnessed. The former bishop 
had long been dead, and his successor 
seemed bent on gaining proselytes by 
every possible means. 

Therewereseveralnew Christian churches ; 
but as Jovinian entered them he saw people 
prostrating themselves before figures closely 
resembling the heathen gods. A few persons 
seemed somewhat dissatisfied with the state 
of things ; but in the whole place he found 
nobody to whom he could speak openly 
as to a brother. 

His stay, therefore, was short; and en- 
gaging a vehicle, he hastened on to Rome, 
by the same road he had taken when com- 
pelled to return by his uncle Gaius. On 
approaching the sanctuary of Mars, the 



244 yovinian. 

driver, who professed to be a Christian, 
informed him that it had been taken pos- 
session of by a body of holy recluses. On 
getting near the gate, a man was seen rush- 
ing with frantic speed, a sword dripping 
gore in his hand, as if he were flying from 
the avengers of blood. As the murderer 
neared the gate, it was thrown open ; and 
springing in, he was received by several 
men in long coarse garments, and at once 
the door was closed. When the officers of 
the law arrived, they were refused admission. 
" We claim the ancient privileges of the 
place," cried the monks. The officers, not 
venturing to dispute the point, returned to 
the city. 

"What will the recluses do with the 
murderer V asked Jovinian of the driver. 

" He will become one of them," was the 
answer. "Several of their number have 
been guilty of like crimes, and have thus 
escaped from justice ! " 

From what Jovinian had witnessed at 
Ostia, he was somewhat prepared for the 
scene which Rome presented as he drove 
through the streets. Christian basilicas 



yovinian Revisits his Native City. 245 

— some of considerable magnificence — rose 
in every direction ; but a large number of 
heathen temples remained, a few only 
having been pulled down to afford sites or 
materials for the before- mentioned edifices. 
Many temples were, however, clo'sed, while- 
others had been slightly altered to fit them 
for the Christian worship. At the corners 
of the streets were shrines, as in days of 
yore. They one and all contained female 
statues, which the driver told Jovinian were 
those of the mother of God. In the arms 
of several of the statues was an infant, who, 
his loquacious guide informed him, was 
" Jesus," her son. Jovinian recognised the 
figures as those of the Babylonian Astarte 
and her son Horos : she, under the name of 
Isis, had long been worshipped in Rome. 

Amulius had gone to be with the Lord 
whom he served on earth ; but he had left 
a son, Prudentius, who had inherited his 
property, and had invited Jovinian to take 
up his abode with him should he ever visit 
Rome. 

Prudentius — ^who had been a mere boy 
when he had last seen Jovinian — remem- 



246 Jomnian. 

bered him with affection, and warmly greeted 
him on his arrivaU He had a numerous- 
family, whom he had brought up in the- 
simple faith of the Gospel; but he ex- 
pressed his anxiety lest they should be led' 
away by the corruptions which everywhere- 
prevailed. 

"By my father's wish I refrained from* 
entering the ministry, and have practised 
the law instead," observed Prudentius. *'It 
was his opinion that I should thus be far 
more free to advocate the truth, — ^for, had I 
become a deacon or presbyter, I should 
have been under the orders of superiors 
who were too likely to support the errors^ 
long creeping in among us." 

"I had heard that the inhabitants of 
Rome had become almost universally Chris- 
tians," said Jovinian. 

" Alas, alas I they are so only nominally,"' 
answered his friend. " Paganism in a modi- 
fied form prevails as of yore. The more* 
abonwnable rites, it is true, have been sup- 
pressed ; but although the people have beeiK 
taught no longer to trust in the heathen gods^ 
they have retained their superstitions and 



yovinian Revisits his Native City. 247 

the larger portion of their former customs. 
The aim of the bishops and other leaders 
in the Church has been to amalgamate the 
two systems, so as to induce the pagans to 
more readily afford them their support. 

" Recently multitudes have been added to 
the Church ; but, as you will have an oppor- 
tunity of judging, the. number of faithful 
men among us is few indeed. Our present 
bishop is, it is said, very ill ; and, should he 
die, we have reason to fear no improvement 
will take place under his successor. 

'* The Arians are still numerous at Rome, 
and will make an effort to have a bishop 
of their own profession elected, Damasus, 
a presbyter, who has lately appeared among 
us, is said to have been educated among 
the recluses of Mount Carmel, in the East^ 
— a college which I have ample reason to 
believe supports the Babylonian worship 
so prevalent in all parts. He has been re- 
ceived here by a powerful party, of whom 
I have ever had the greatest mistrust, as 
I have observed that they are among the 
chief promoters of the worship of the Virgin 
Mary, which is so rapidly gaining ground in 



248 yovmian. 

the city. These men belong to what is 
known as the ' Holy College/ and are the 
successors of the heathen pontiffs, by whom, 
after the latter had become Christians, 
they were successively elected. They exer- 
cise almost as much influence among the 
Christian population as their predecessors 
did among the heathen." 

Jovinian recollected the plans he had 
heard discussed by Coecus, and saw too 
clearly how successfully they had been 
carried out. 

On inquiring of his friend for information 
about the last days of his uncle, who had 
long been dead, Prudentius replied, " Yes : 
hearing he was ill, my father, being a 
relative, went to visit him, and afford him 
the last consolation of religion ; but Gains 
made no sign, and, turning his face to the 
wall, so died." 

" The pontiff Coecus : what ending did he 
make ? " asked Jovinian. 

" He lived to a great age, and, when 
Julian attempted to overthrow the Chris- 
tian Church, he openly advocated the 
restoration of the heathen temples; but. 



yovinian Revisits his Native City. 249 

finding that his plans were unsuccessful, he 
took poison and so died, and went to his 
place," answered Prudentius. 

'* But the harm he has done lived after 
him," observed Jovinian ; and he then re- 
counted to his friend the knowledge he had 
gained of the plans of the pontiffs for the 
destruction of religion. 

Many days passed by; and the more 
Jovinian saw of the state of things in Rome, ' 
the more convinced he was that those plans 
had been fearfully successful. 

The Bishop, Liberius, was declining 
rapidly, and great excitement prevailed 
among those who would take part in the 
election of his successor. A fresh candi- 
date had appeared, in the person of Ursinus 
— a man of considerable influence in Rome, 
who had lately become a deacon, but who 
was in no way distinguished for his Chris- 
tian virtues. 

Jovinian and Prudentius had together 
been visiting some of the churches, and 
were returning with heavy hearts at what 
they saw, when they met Juventius, the city 
prefect. 



250 yovzntan. 

" The Bishop Liberius can live but a. 
few hours longer," observed the prefect 
" I feel greatly anxious as to what may- 
happen. Armed men are collecting from 
all quarters, and repairing, some to the 
residence of Damasus and others to that 
of Ursinus ; and I much fear that the rival 
factions will resort to force instead of 
waiting the result of a legal election." 

" Can these men believe themselves to 
be ministers of our holy Religion, followers 
of Him who exhorted His disciples to love 
one another, to refrain from violence, and 
do all the good they can to their fellow-^ 
creatures ? " exclaimed Prudentius. " Alas,, 
alas 1 how do they differ from those who in 
the early ages gained the love and respect 
even of the heathen !" 

As they were speaking, a man rushed 
past them, crying as he ran, " The bishoi> 
is dead ! the bishop is dead ! " 

" Then I must summon my guards to jM-e- 
serve order," observed Juventius, hurrying 
off. 

"Can the prefect possibly fear that 
those who are desirous of becoming the? 



Jovinian Revisits his Native City. 25 1 

leaders of Christ's flock should resort to 
force of arms ? " exclaimed Jovinian. 

*' He has observed what has been taking 
place in the city for some days past, since 
the illness of Liberius became known, and 
he considers the temporal value of the post 
the candidates are seeking," answered Pru- 
dentius. *' If we wish to avoid the risk of 
getting entangled among the mob, it would 
be wise to return home." 

The two friends were at this time at a 
considerable distance from the house of 
Prudentius. They accordingly bent their 
steps as he advised. They were approach- 
ing the Basilica Sicininus, when they saw 
advancing towards it a large body of armed 
men, headed by a person whom Prudentius 
recognised as Ursinus, one of the canr 
didates for the vacant bishopric. This 
basilica being the principal church, it was- 
considered that the party which held it 
would have the best chance of success. 
Another band directly afterwards came 
rushing along from an opposite direction,, 
evidently with the intention of endeavour- 
ing to intercept the first. 



252 yovinian. 

The two friends, with- the greatest diffi- 
culty, avoided being carried on with the 
tumultuous throng by stepping into a deep 
archway which happily presented itself. 
They observed, however, that the first 
party gained the threshold of the entrance 
to the church, and with loud shouts and 
shrieks took possession. The second band 
attempting to force a way in, being less 
numerous, was driven off, leaving several 
dead on the ground, while others were 
bleeding from severe wounds. 

As they retreated they uttered cries of 
vengeance, threatening ere long to return 
and drive out the occupants of the sacred 
edifice. 

Jovinian and Prudentius now again at- 
tempted to make their way homeward ; but 
they were once more stopped by having 
to avoid a band led by Ursinus, who issued 
out of the church, leaving a strong garrison 
within it. Before long they met another 
party of the supporters of Damasus, 
whom, however, they put to flight. Now 
reaching the abodes of some of their op- 
ponents, they broke into the houses, which, 



Jovinian Revisits his Native City. 253 

having thrown out the furniture, they set 
on fire. 

This example was quickly imitated by 
others of the opposite party. The friends 
had not gone far when they caught sight 
of Damasus himself, at the head of a larger 
band than had yet appeared, supported 
by several presbyters, deacons, and other 
officials, while among them appeared a 
party of men wearing cowls and coarse 
garments, who were evidently monks in- 
vited by Damasus to assist him. Whether 
ecclesiastics or not, the whole multitude 
carried arms, spears, swords, or daggers. 
They were encountered by a band of the 
hitherto victorious followers of Ursinus. 
A fierce fight took place under the walls 
of the burning houses; neither party would 
give way, and many had fallen, when 
Juventius, the city prefect, appeared with 
his guards. In vain he shouted and ordered 
the combatants to desist ; no one listened 
to him, until, rushing forward, he endea- 
voured to separate them. 

Indignant at his interference, the leaders 
turned their rage towards him, and, attacked 



254 Jovinian. 

by both parties^ he was compelled to retreat 
A part of the maddened mob pursued him, 
shouting out that as he was a civil officer 
he had no business to interfere in the affairs 
of the Church. Finding not only that all 
his efforts to restore order were futile, but 
that the rioters were sufficiently strong 
to overpower him, he, together with his 
guards, escaped for safety into the suburbs. 

The wildest disorder and confusion pre- 
vailed throughout the streets of Rome 
during that night. 

Not without great risk to themselves had 
Jovinian and Prudentius been able to reach 
home. 

From the roof to which they mounted 
they could see fires blazing in all directions, 
while the shrieks and cries of the enraged 
factions rose up from the streets — ^some 
near, and others in the far distance. 
. Whenever the followers of Ursinus met 
those of Damasus, they attacked each 
other with the greatest fury. 

During the whole night the tumult 
raged. In the morning bodies of dead 
men were seen scattered about in all 



yovinian Revisits his Native City. 255 

•directions. Ursinus still held the basilica, 
which his followers began to fortify. The 
party of Damasus resolved to dislodge 
them. For this purpose he and his sup- 
porters were employed the whole day in 
gathering together all they* could induce 
to join them. Heathens, provided they 
came armed, were as welcome as others. 
The prospect of sacking the houses of 
the other party afforded them sufficient 
temptations. Once more did the prefect 
attempt to restore order ; but barely 
escaped with his life. The voting for the 
two rival candidates for the bishopric had 
been going on, — first one party, then the 
other, being at the head of the poll. The 
rage of the rival factions increased when 
either appeared to be successful or were 
losing ground. The tumult raged with 
even greater violence than on the pre- 
vious night. Now Damasus, at the head 
of an organized band, advanced through 
the streets towards the basilica. Ursinus 
himself, with a less numerous party, in 
vain attempted to reach it, in order to 
support its garrison. The doors were burst 



z' 



256 Jovinian. 

open, and the forces of Damasus rushed in. 
A fearful combat took place. The edifice 
in which prayers and hymns of praise were 
wont to ascend resounded with the frantic 
shouts of the combatants, with the shrieks 
of the wounded and the groans of the 
dying. For hours the fight continued to 
rage. Now the assailants gained an en- 
trance ; now they were again driven out by 
the desperate efforts of the besieged, who 
believed that a general massacre would 
take place should they once be overcome. 

At length so many of their number had 
fallen, that, bursting through the door 
opposite to that at which the chief attack 
was going on, they made their escape, 
pursued by their enemies. The party of 
Damasus, flushed with victory, drove back 
the followers of Ursinus wherever they 
were met; and he himself, believing that 
his cause was lost, retreated with a few of . 
his ecclesiastical supporters from the city. 

When morning broke he was nowhere 
to b^ found. His- few followers wisely 
retired to their homes ; and the prefect, re- 
turning, was at length able to restore order. 



yovinian Revisits his Native City. 257 

Fearful were the scenes which Rome 
presented, as Jovinian and Prudentius once 
more ventured forth. Smoking ruins in 
all directions; corpses scattered in every 
street ; some, where the combat had been 
fiercest, lay in heaps, many blackened and 
charred by the burning houses near which 
they had fallen. Fighting had taken place 
in several other churches besides the 
Basilica of Sicininus, and blood stained 
their pavements ; the bodies of many of 
the dead still lay where they had fallen. 
Prudentius proposed going on to the 
Basilica of Sicininus, where the fiercest 
struggle had taken place. On entering 
the church they started back with horror. 
Before them lay, with distorted counte- 
nances and in attitudes showing the 
ferocity with which they had fought, 
scattered throughout every part of the 
building, the corpses of the slain. They 
were chiefly those of the defeated party, 
although several of their opponents had 
of course fallen. On counting them, they 
were found to number one hundred and 
thirty-seven. The prefect had issued 

17 



258 yovinian. 

orders for the interment of the dead. It 
had been a question whether they should 
receive Christian burial, or be deposited 
together in one of the catacombs outside 
the walls. But Damasus insisted that the 
followers of Ursinus only should be thus 
buried, — " he having arranged/* he said, " a 
fitting funeral for those who had fallen as 
martyrs for the truth." 

Prudentius, when he , met the prefect, 
inquired whether he intended to bring 
Damasus and his followers to account for 
the tumult. 

" It is more than I dare do ! " he an- 
swered. " Were I to make the attempt, it 
would probably cause another outbreak, 
with equally disastrous results. Supported 
by the emperor, your Christian bishop has 
more power than I have, and I must allow 
him full license to promote, as he thinks 
best, what he calls the interests of religion. 
I leave you to judge, however, whether the 
late events are calculated to recommend it 
to the minds of the heathen. The Romans 
may yet rue the day they consented to be 
ruled by their bishops." 



yovinian Revisits his Native City. 259 

Damasus was declared duly elected, 
by the presbyters and deacons, and the 
Christian population of Rome. 

The following day he paraded through 
the streets in a handsome chariot, attended 
by a numerous body-guard richly clothed. 
In his hand he carried the Lituus, — the 
long used insignia of the augurs, sinct 
known as the bishop's crozier, — proving 
that he considered himself to be their lineal 
successor. 

Having taken up his residence in the 
palace of the Lateran, he gave a magnificent 
banquet to his chief supporters, which was 
said to surpass in sumptuousness "those, 
not only of the more wealthy citizens, but 
of the emperor himself. He had become 
possessed of the wealth left by his prede- 
cessor, and had reason to be sure that 
more would, ere long, flow into his coffers 
from the piety of the matrons of Rome. 
In this he was not mistaken ; eternal 
happiness being freely promised to all who 
would thus enrich the Church. Many 
pious people also devoted their wealth to 
the building of basilicas, to which they 



26o Jovinian. 

claimed the right of appointing the mini- 
sters, following the example of those who 
had erected heathen temples, of selecting 
the priests to attend them. 

Every day Jovinian remained at Rome 
brought more sorrow to his heart. 

There were still many heathen temples ; 
and from the Altar of Victory — ^which 
had been restored by Julian — the smoke 
of sacrifices ascended. In many of the 
basilicas statues which he recognised as 
those of Isis, or some other heathen 
goddess, now generally clothed in rich 
garments, held most prominent places. 
Numerous other clothed statues were 
placed in niches with lamps burning before 
them. Jovinian had no difficulty in dis- 
tinguishing those which had before repre- 
sented the heathen gods and goddesses 
from the figures of the apostles and 
martyrs, also carved in wood or stone — the 
latter exhibiting a melancholy proof of 
the decadence of art in the capital. Every- 
where, indeed, he found that the plan of 
Coecus had been successful. The worship 
of the Babylonian goddess, under her 



yovinian Revisits his Native City. 261 

new name, prevailed throughout the city. 
Although Christianity had not been crushed, 
it had been fearfully corrupted ; in reality, 
idolatry had won the victory in the battle 
which it had long been waging with the 
Christian faith; no longer in Rome was 
the simple Gospel preached. Flowery 
discourses, at which the people signified 
their approval by loud applause, were de- 
livered from the pulpits. The Christian 
ministers now appeared in the same rich 
garments which had been worn by the 
heathen priests. Relics were adored, and 
supposed to work miracles; prayers were 
offered up for the dead, and to the martyrs, 
as well as to her whom they called " Mary 
the virgin mother ; " people were taught 
that penances were meritorious ; ascetic 
practices were- inculcated; the existence 
of purgatorial fires, as believed in by the 
heathen, was taught as a reality, from 
which the dead could be emancipated 
alone by the prayers of the priests ; while 
so notorious had become the efforts of the 
clergy to obtain wealth from the devout 
among the female sex, that an edict was 



262 yovinian. 

published by the emperor forbidding eccle- 
siastics to receive any gifts, inheritance 
or legacy, at the hands of devout women, 
and the ministers were compelled, ac- 
cording to custom, to publish this decree 
from all the pulpits in the city, — thus be- 
coming the heralds of their own rapacious 
propensities. 

In vain Jovinian made every effort to 
stem the tide of corruption. He preached, 
whenever he could obtain an opportunity, 
in the churches, faithfully pointing out the 
fearful errors into which the Christians 
were falling, until every basilica was close'd 
against him. He continued, however, to 
preach in the houses of a few faithful men, 
and even at times in the open streets ; but 
at length — branded by the bishop as a 
heretic and. a disturber of the public peace 
— he received an order forthwith to quit 
the city. As his liberty, if not his life, 
would have been in danger had he ven- 
tured to disobey the order issued by 
the powerful pontiff, he bade farewell to 
Prudentius, and turned his face north- 
ward. 



yovinian Revisits his Native City. 263 

From the tranquil valleys among which 
he had taken up his abode he often wrote 
to his friend, and received letters in return. 
In one of them Prudentius, giving way to 
despair, thus expressed his opinion : " By 
the unholy union which has been effected, 
idolatry has strangled Christianity in her 
baneful embrace,* and has sent forth in- 
stead a gaudily-dressed being, which, 
calling herself the True Faith, insists that 
all mankind shall fall down and worship as 
she dictates." 

*' Be not in despair, my friend," answered 
Jovinian. "God has promised to protect 
His Qiurch ; and be assured that He will 
raise up faithful men in coming ages who 
will protest against all these corruptions, 
and the time will come when the simple 
Gospel will be again faithfully preached. 



^ Sir Isaac Newton states that before the end 
of the fourth century the idolatrous worship of the 
Virgin Mary had been universally established, 
while nearly all the corrupt practices of the Church 
of Rome had been already commenced, although 
many of her dogmas were not introduced till 
centuries latere 



264 yovinian. 

and the practices of the apostolic age be 
restored even in Rome itself, where the 
mystery of iniquity has begun its fearful 
reign." 



THE END. 



Hazell, Watson, and Viney, Printers, London and Aylesbury. 






4, 



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